Following a record 42 days of negotiations, Denmark finally has a new government.
And for the first time in 40 years, it will consist of parties across the middle: Socialdemokratiet, Venstre and Moderaterne.
The three party bosses – Mette Frederiksen, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and Lars Løkke Rasmussen – unveiled their plans for Denmark just moments ago … and it’s a whopper!
Among the central points in the new government’s platform are:
– Big changes to the Danish tax system: taxes will be alleviated for those earning least and to some who earn a lot. A new top-top tax break will also be ushered in for those who earn significant sums. Moreover, the employment dedication (beskæftigelsesfradraget) will be increased. The government says its plans include tax break plans worth 5 billion kroner.
– CO2-Neutrality: Denmark has set a new 2045 CO2-neutrality goal and a new air travel tax will be incorporated.
– Bank holiday gone: In a bid to get people to work more, the government wants to axe the Great Prayer Day bank holiday, which is celebrated on the fourth Friday after Easter.
– Job Centers gone: The government wants to close job centres nationwide, contending that they don’t function as desired.
– More people working: The government wants to increase the number of people in employment by 45,000 by 2030. Curbing bureaucracy in the public sector are among the planned reform changes.
Education cuts: The government wants to cut a year off half of all Master’s degrees in the country and remove the sixth year of SU education grant eligibility.
– Stringent immigration policy: The government will not deviate from its current path in relation to immigration. Denmark’s tough stance on immigration will continue, though ‘crazy’ rules that don’t make sense will be cut out. Meanwhile, the government will retain its contentious goal of establishing a centre for asylum-seekers outside Europe – but it must be done by the EU or in co-operation with other countries.
– Health sector changes: The government indicated that a health sector structure commission will be established to look into making significant changes to the health sector. The right to treatment guarantee – the treatment time limit guaranteed to patients – will be increased from 30 to 60 days.
– New plan for eldery: The current Arne pension – the right to go on early retirement – will be combined with the elderly pension and renamed ‘Arne Plus’.
– Bolstering Defence: The government wants to hasten the deadline for living up to NATO’s goal of investing 2 percent of GDP on Defence to 2030.
Download and read the new government’s platform here (in Danish).
