New Danish government to continue hardline migration policies

WorldPolitics
3 Jun 2026 • 1:20 AM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

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Image from: New Danish government to continue hardline migration policies
FILE PHOTO - Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, attends the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC). (is associated with: «New Danish government to continue hardline migration policies») Marijan Murat/dpa

Denmark's new four-party centre-left government aims to continue the country's hardline migration policies, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a press conference in Copenhagen with the other party leaders.

"There will be a series of stricter measures; we are agreed on that," Frederiksen, a Social Democrat who has been prime minister since 2019, said as the coalition presented its programme on Tuesday.

The coalition talks took longer than usual, with the new coalition partners having differing views on migration policy.

Almost 10 weeks after parliamentary elections, Frederiksen announced the formation of a minority government with the Socialist People's Party, the conservative-liberal Venstre party and the centrist Moderates.

The leftist Red-Green Alliance and The Alternative, an environmentalist party, will help the coalition secure majorities in parliament.

Minority governments are common in Denmark, but must not have an opposing majority if they are to survive.

Among the pledges made by the new coalition are free dental appointments, the abolition of value-added tax on fruit and vegetables, free travel on public transport up to the age of 22, tax cuts for high earners and businesses and increases for the poorest pensioners.

Under certain conditions, the Store Bededag public holiday abolished in 2022 to boost defence spending will be reintroduced. State schools and breeding pigs will also benefit.

Frederiksen heads her third cabinet after elections in 2019 and 2022. She will present her new cabinet on Wednesday.

It is thought likely to include Lars Løkke Rasmussen, foreign minister in the last government. The former prime minister's Moderates were in coalition with Frederiksen's Social Democrats and the Venstre party in the previous government.