Party profile: Socialistisk Folkeparti

SF says the party stands firmly on the left and is fighting for a greener, healthier Copenhagen

As Copenhagen’s second largest party, Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF) is heading into the local elections committed to its green and welfare-based agenda. Spearheaded by Ninna Thomsen, Copenhagen’s current deputy mayor for health and care, the party’s manifesto for the upcoming election focuses on the health and wellbeing of the city’s residents.

SF says that it will continue to work for a greener, healthier Copenhagen, and the party takes a lot of credit for the city’s bike paths and green spaces. In this year’s city budget negotiations, SF secured a significant improvement of the city’s busiest bike routes as well as money for a new bike-sharing programme.

“The amount of cars in the city creates noise, air pollution and congestion problems,” said the city’s deputy mayor for technical and environmental affairs, Ayfer Baykal (SF). “That is why SF is committed to making it attractive for more people to take their bike into the city.”

The SF platform states that Copenhagen must lead the way towards a sustainable society. This applies to transportation, CO2 neutrality, adapting to climate change and the responsible management of resources. SF’s plan would see Copenhagen grow economically and in population without overtaxing city resources and polluting the environment at the expense of future generations.

READ ALSO: Party profile: Dansk Folkeparti
 

No tax cuts promised here
While other parties are talking about tax cuts and trimming services, SF remains committed to the idea of a strong welfare state, saying in its platform statement that it “chooses welfare over tax cuts because we know in times of crisis that anyone could find themselves out of a job”.

“SF is a socialist party that uses its influence to move city politics to the left,” said Thomsen. “We will focus on the city’s children, employment, the environment and equality. We must be careful that Copenhagen does not become two cities: one for the wealthy and affluent, and one for people who hit the bottom due to unemployment, abuse, poor health and homelessness.”

SF also wants money to go to ensuring that Copenhagen’s older residents have the healthcare and rehabilitation that they need.

“I want the city to provide an even greater degree of help to combat the loneliness that so many elderly people face each day,” Thomsen said.

She has suggested activity centres where the elderly can come into contact with others and participate in things such as community cooking classes.

Less smoking and drinking
Thomsen is not afraid to take controversial stances on health issues and is on record as saying that she would like to make Copenhagen a smoke-free city by 2025.

The aim of her plan is that by 2025, only four percent of the city’s citizens should be smokers – a significant drop from the 21 percent who currently smoke.

Thomsen is also a major crusader in starting a dialogue about what she considers the unhealthy drinking culture in both the city of Copenhagen and Denmark as a whole.

“Our high consumption of alcohol is a problem that very few dare talk about,” she said. “I think it needs to be discussed: especially the implications it has for children who grow up in abusive families and are taught that a party is only a proper party if alcohol is flowing freely.”

Thomsen wants to see money allocated to help those who are trying to break the cycle of abuse and assist children who grow up in families suffering from addiction.

“In Copenhagen, 15,000 children grow up in families with alcohol problems,” she said. “They need help and support as soon as possible.”

Left is the way forward
Thomsen and SF remain convinced that the left is the best direction for the city to turn to help those who need it most, protect the environment and generally improve the quality of life for everyone in Copenhagen.

“We will continue to be a strong and distinctive voice at City Hall – a real left-wing party that makes Copenhagen a city that can be an inspiration to the rest of the country and the world,” said Thomsen.

Factfile | Ninna Thomsen
Party: Socialistisk Folkeparti
Age: 37
Years on the City Council: 8

Platform:
• Environment
• Strong welfare state
• Quality of life
• Elderly care
• Child care

Next week: Party profiles of Liberal Alliance and Enhedslisten, plus a look at the lesser-known parties that are also vying for votes




  • Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Yesterday, the President of the United States made some of the strongest statements about Greenland he has ever made during the press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

  • Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Not all students feel like reading Danish poetry after a meeting at a language school with writer and poet Henrik Palle. Yet, a portrayal of Copenhagen as the city once was and the impressions of what the city is today give a deeper impression of the Danes

  • A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    It’s difficult to learn Danish, especially with idioms that have figurative meanings. It highlights Christiane Bjørg Nielsen’s book, See What You Say, which serves as a visual guide to understanding these idiomatic expressions in Danish.

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.