Several local Conservative candidates are urging party leader Mona Juul to distance herself from a controversial proposal from the Danish People’s Party (DF). The DF initiative calls for “remigration” of certain immigrants, a plan critics say violates Danish and international principles.
Pressure Mounts on Conservative Leadership
A political dispute is growing within the Conservative Party as several local candidates across Denmark call on their leader, Mona Juul, to clearly reject DF’s latest immigration proposal. DF’s leader, Morten Messerschmidt, recently told Weekendavisen that his party wants to send home immigrants without Danish citizenship who cannot support themselves, commit crimes, or live “according to Islamic values.”
The statement has drawn sharp criticism, especially from Conservative candidates in municipalities like Copenhagen, Bornholm, and Middelfart. They believe such a move would cross both legal and ethical lines.
Candidates from multiple local branches say the idea of mass deportations is far from Danish values. They stress that immigration policy should be tough on criminals but fair to law-abiding residents. In their view, DF’s concept conflicts with the Constitution and with Denmark’s deep commitment to international agreements.
What the DF Proposal Suggests
DF’s “remigration” plan calls for measures that would push many foreign nationals out of Denmark. According to Messerschmidt, people on social benefits such as early retirement or social assistance should be pressured to leave or face legal consequences. The plan would also prohibit halal food and headscarves in public institutions while expelling any immigrant who breaks the criminal code.
Legal experts have warned that implementing such policies would require Denmark to withdraw from major international conventions, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Refugee Convention. Constitutional law professor Frederik Waage recently stated that the plan clearly conflicts with both national and international law.
Because of that, several Conservatives fear that supporting DF’s agenda could isolate Denmark internationally and damage diplomatic relations with allies.
Calls for a Firm Response from Mona Juul
Conservative candidates such as Keld Kortegaard from Morsø and Morten Weiss-Pedersen from Middelfart argue that Mona Juul must send a clear public message of opposition. They believe the party should protect Denmark’s open and democratic principles rather than leaning toward extremist ideas about collective punishment.
At the same time, they emphasize that the Conservatives continue to support a strict but balanced immigration policy. Criminal foreigners should be expelled when appropriate, they say, but blanket policies against entire groups cross ethical boundaries.
Debate Over Blue Bloc Cooperation
Interestingly, even as criticism of DF’s proposal spreads, many within the Conservative Party are still optimistic that cooperation across the blue bloc—the alliance of right-leaning parties—can continue. These include the Conservatives, DF, the Liberal Alliance, and the Denmark Democrats.
Despite the fierce disagreement over remigration, local Conservative leaders believe the parties could still negotiate a common government platform after a parliamentary election. They expect that DF might soften its stance if government talks move forward.
For context, voters can learn more about the upcoming local and regional elections on DR’s official guides, including municipal election coverage, the candidate test, and information about how to cast a ballot.
DF Stands Firm on Its Policy
So far, the main parties within the blue opposition have not expressed any clear support or rejection of DF’s plan. According to DF’s deputy leader, Peter Kofod, it would be “a new situation” if the Conservatives chose not to back the proposal. Kofod insists the ideas are not extreme but rather common sense solutions aimed at ensuring that foreigners who come to Denmark and commit crimes are expelled. He also argues that those who live off public benefits without contributing should eventually return to their home countries.
DF sees remigration as a promise that previous governments have failed to deliver. The party plans to bring the proposal to future coalition negotiations if the blue bloc gains enough votes to form a government.
Conservative Party Headquarters Responds
Mona Juul herself and the Conservative leadership on Christiansborg have so far declined direct interviews. However, party spokesperson Frederik Bloch Münster issued a written statement emphasizing that the Conservatives have not changed their official policy.
He reaffirmed that the party supports expelling criminal foreigners, encourages learning Danish and integrating into society, welcomes skilled foreign labor, and wants to preserve Denmark’s Christian cultural heritage. He declined to elaborate on the DF proposal but referred interested voters to the joint “borgerligt fundament,” the shared platform of the blue parties.
Looking Ahead
The controversy has put Mona Juul under intense pressure as she balances the need for cooperation within the blue alliance while maintaining the party’s moderate, law-based approach. The split highlights broader tensions in Danish politics over how far to push immigration policy and the limits of national values in the face of populist demands.
As the municipal elections approach, the issue is likely to remain central in local campaigns, where several Conservative candidates see defending democratic principles as more important than aligning with DF’s controversial stance on remigration.
Sources and References
DR: Conservative Candidates Pressure Mona Juul to Reject DF Proposal
DR Kommunalvalg Coverage
DR Candidate Test
DR Guide: Your Ballot
