This last year has been a whirlwind for Inger Støjberg – previous minister of Venstre – and it seems that not even a 60-day prison sentence can stop her.
This morning, the right-wing politician confirmed the rumours that have been swirling ever since her name appeared on a list of new political parties released by the Danish government: she is starting her own party.
“It is me who has founded the new party, Danmarksdemokraterne,” she said to DR. “Civic common sense will be the focal point of the new party. Danmarksdemokraterne is not a protest party. On the contrary, if we are elected to the Folketing, we will enter into negotiations and conciliation.”
Hopping on the bandwagon
Støjberg has been surrounded by controversy ever since her 2021 impeachment trial and conviction on charges of unlawful misconduct and the separation of asylum couples at refugee centres.
Despite the controversy, Støjberg is quickly drumming up support. The first members of her new party will likely come from her own backyard in Nordjylland. Former Venstre member Svend Madsen, for example, is planning to join, reported DR.
In addition, many former members of Dansk Folkeparti are likely to be joining Støjberg, including members of parliament Liselott Blixt, Karina Adsbøll and Bent Bøgsted.
Holdouts remain
Not everyone on the right has been so quick to team up with Støjberg. According to DR, she is still awaiting word from former DF chairman Kristian Thulesen Dahl, who has said that he will not run for DF in the next election. According to Støjberg, Dahl would be “most welcome” in her new party.
Martin Henriksen, who was beaten by Morten Messerschmidt for the post of DF chairman in January, is also taking his time to decide.
“I have not joined the party. Whether I do it at some point, I can not say here on my feet,” said Henriksen to DR. “I hope the new party can help unite the right wing after a long split.”
It remains to be seen whether Støjberg will obtain the 20,182 voter declarations necessary for her party to be eligible for next year’s general election.
