Danmarksdemokraterne’s rural districts and islands spokesperson, Susie Jessen, is demanding a new investigation into how Lolland Municipality spends state island support, as the municipality prepares to cut ferry departures to Femø, Fejø and Askø.
DR reported on September 20 that Lolland Municipality plans to save up to 10 million kroner on ferry operations to its three small islands. The proposal is part of a broad package of savings across the municipality, according to DR’s reporting.
Under the plan, the three islands would share two ferries instead of three. Daily departures to Femø and Askø would fall from seven to four, and departures to Fejø from 19 to 17.
The ferry cuts follow a municipal deficit of more than 300 million kroner, per DR. The broadcaster notes that savings are being sought across many areas of the municipality’s budget.
Jessen argues that the savings should not be taken from the islands. As stated by her to DR, Lolland receives money from Christiansborg to maintain stable ferry service, and she does not see that happening. She wants the matter examined more thoroughly.
The state pays several subsidies to municipalities with small islands. The largest is the so-called paragraph 20 subsidy, which goes to all 19 municipalities with small islands, 18 of which operate ferries. Figures cited by DR from the Ministry of the Interior and Health and the publication “Kommunal udligning og tilskud 2025” show Lolland receiving 24.3 million kroner this year, the highest amount on the list.
Henrik Jacobsen (K), chairman of Lolland Municipality’s climate, technical and environment committee, told DR that the paragraph 20 funds cover the costs of being an island municipality. According to him, the money is not specified and nothing is earmarked. Jessen responds that Christiansborg should set a framework directing the island funds specifically to ferry operations.
Report sent to the transport minister
In July, Jessen urged Transport Minister Signe Munk (SF) to obtain a report from Lolland Municipality on how the state island funds are used. DR has seen the report, which describes the ferry service to Femø, Fejø and Askø and the planned savings. Jessen dismissed it as thin, saying she wants a full overview of how the funds were spent on the three islands.
She will therefore ask Munk to demand a new report from the municipality. DR states that it sought comment from the minister about the report, and that she had not responded.
Elise Sydendal (Alternativet), who grew up on Fejø and was elected to the Folketing last year, also criticized the plan. She told DR that the ferry is residents’ only route to work, education, doctors and shopping. As noted by her, daily operations can remain locally anchored, but departures should not be cut because of municipal finances.
