Denmark’s ruling coalition is showing new cracks after the liberal Venstre party announced it is ready to leave the European Convention on Nationality if reforms fail. The move signals a more restrictive approach to immigration laws and may mark the unofficial start of the next election season.
Venstre Breaks with Government Partners
Venstre’s leader and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark must be prepared to leave the European Convention on Nationality if ongoing negotiations to amend it do not succeed. The convention currently prevents Denmark from stripping citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious crimes.
Poulsen described his statement as a major shift for Venstre, marking the first time the party has been open to such a step. Analysts view it as a sign that political parties are already positioning themselves for the next general election.
At the same time, the move places pressure on the coalition government, which also includes the Social Democrats and the Moderates led by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The government had previously worked to reform the conventions while maintaining Danish membership.
Tensions Inside the Coalition
The statement came as a surprise to Rasmussen, who publicly questioned whether it made sense for Denmark to act unilaterally at a time when the international rule of law faces challenges. He also said the announcement had been made without prior discussion within the government.
His criticism revealed a growing rift between coalition partners. Political observers say this disagreement suggests the government’s foundation is becoming unstable.
Others see Venstre’s new message as a clear move toward the political right, especially on immigration and national security. The shift goes further than what was agreed upon in the current government platform.
Support and Criticism from the Right
Venstre’s stance received quick support from other right-leaning parties such as the Conservatives, Liberal Alliance, the Danish Democrats, and the Danish People’s Party, all of which have already said Denmark should withdraw from the convention.
Danish Democrat leader Inger Støjberg demanded faster action, saying Venstre could make the change happen immediately if it broke ties with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats and Rasmussen’s Moderates.
According to data from the Council of Europe, 28 out of 46 member states, including Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, have not signed the nationality convention.
Impact on Danish Politics
Poulsen later explained on social media that the convention, in some cases, undermines the public’s trust in the legal system. He emphasized that while Denmark welcomes those who come to work and contribute, the country must also be able to act against those who commit serious crimes.
His message came just after Prime Minister Frederiksen told *Weekendavisen* she wants closer cooperation with the Socialist People’s Party. The parallel announcements from Frederiksen and Poulsen reflect how both leaders may already be shaping their positions ahead of a possible election.
In Denmark’s parliamentary system explained here: type of government, such divisions can often trigger early elections if coalition unity collapses.
Signals of an Early Election
Political commentators suggest that the disagreement is more than a policy dispute; it could be the first shot in the next campaign. As one expert noted, solo announcements like Poulsen’s are typical when parties begin reclaiming independent profiles before an election.
Venstre may already be seeing results from this strategy. A new poll by Megafon for TV 2 and *Politiken* shows the party regaining voter support for the first time since the abolition of the Great Prayer Day holiday—a controversial reform that had damaged its popularity.
Even though the government still formally stands, the latest developments show a coalition pulling in different directions. If the public disputes continue, calls for an early election are likely to grow louder in the coming months.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: What Type of Government Does Denmark Have? Discover the Secrets of Modern Monarchy
The Danish Dream: Immigration and Labour Law in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Venstre går enegang i regeringen og vil vende konvention ryggen
