Two Copenhagen politicians from the Social Democrats are keeping quiet about whether they will keep their City Council seats after also being re-elected to Parliament. Their silence has left voters and party colleagues guessing.
Social Democrats in dilemma after local election
More than 2,000 voters in Copenhagen gave their personal votes to Social Democrats Mette Reissmann and Yildiz Akdogan in the recent municipal election. That number was enough to secure each a seat in the City Council. However, there is uncertainty over whether they will accept those positions, since both already serve as members of Parliament and the party’s rules prohibit holding two mandates at once.
As things stand, Reissmann and Akdogan must choose between remaining at Christiansborg or taking their newly earned seats in the capital’s local government. For now, neither politician has shared a decision publicly.
Reissmann and Akdogan avoid the press
Reporters from TV 2 have attempted for several days to contact the two politicians. Mette Reissmann briefly appeared at a party group meeting in Parliament but left before answering questions. On social media, she thanked voters for their support and described her result as a “personal success,” yet she has since not responded to any further inquiries.
Yildiz Akdogan, who asked Copenhagen voters for their personal support during the campaign, briefly answered a call from the press but hung up before answering any questions. Nearly one thousand people voted for her personally, but they remain uncertain whether she intends to serve in the City Council.
The Social Democrats’ internal rules on double mandates have existed for years and remain a topic of debate within the party. Critics often see them as part of Denmark’s complex balance between national and local politics, and many outside observers have connected these rules to broader discussions about Danish socialism and political culture.
Possible replacement ready to step in
Despite the silence, one Copenhagen Social Democrat, Niels Bjerrum, says he expects to take one of the open seats. He narrowly missed election but stands first on the party’s replacement list. On Facebook, he wrote that he expects to begin his work in the City Council after the New Year, as the party does not allow double representation.
Other members have questioned why the party fielded two candidates who were already serving in Parliament and may not be able to take their seats locally. Some have suggested that this undermines the voters’ trust in the electoral process.
There is technically a possibility for an exemption, but the Social Democrats’ national leadership has not yet made a decision on whether Reissmann and Akdogan will receive one. The party’s secretary has confirmed that the executive board will consider their cases soon but has declined to comment further.
Bjerrum, for his part, has said he hopes that no exemptions will be granted. If both Reissmann and Akdogan step aside, a second alternate, Jonas Manthey Olsen, would take a seat on the City Council. He has not commented publicly either.
No response from leadership
The local chair of the Copenhagen branch of the Social Democrats has not responded to press requests for clarification. The same goes for national leader and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who, when asked before the election, said she saw no problem in letting voters decide whether to support candidates already holding office.
Within the party, the question has revived discussion about political transparency and accountability in Danish municipal politics. For Copenhageners who supported the two candidates, the wait continues to see who will finally represent them at City Hall.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Is Denmark Socialist? Danish Socialism Explained by Social Scientist
The Danish Dream: Best Lawyer in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Over 2000 københavnere stemte dem ind – men nu er to S-profiler gået i flyverskjul
