Copenhagen’s city council has removed Frie Grønne leader Sikandar Siddique from his seat, after authorities found he was not eligible to stand in last year’s municipal election.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Borgerrepræsentation at Copenhagen City Hall on Thursday, September 17. DR reports that the outcome had been expected. Members did not ask for a vote, so the recommendation from the ministry was approved.
Copenhagen Municipality had already concluded that Siddique did not live at the city address he gave when he ran in the November 2025 election. According to DR, that meant he was in reality not eligible for the seat. The Ministry of Digitalization upheld that ruling on September 8.
Siddique has maintained throughout the case that he moved away from his family and a house in Herlev before the election. As reported by DR, he has said he then settled in an apartment in Copenhagen.
The case has moved through three stages. Copenhagen Municipality ruled first, the ministry confirmed the ruling, and the Borgerrepræsentation closed the matter on Thursday.
Reactions at City Hall
Several members took the floor for short remarks during Thursday’s handling of the case. Alexander Ryle of Liberal Alliance called the whole case sad and said the outcome was obvious. From the rostrum he stated that anyone sitting in the Borgerrepræsentation must live in Copenhagen.
Lord Mayor Sisse Marie Welling of SF also commented on the case. Per DR, she said the affair had been damaging for democracy. Welling took office after the 2025 municipal election.
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The seat itself stays with Frie Grønne. Siddique’s substitute, Asham Agha Nadeem, takes over the party’s place in the Borgerrepræsentation, according to DR.
Speaking to DR immediately after the decision, Siddique looked ahead rather than back. He said he continues as political leader of Frie Grønne. He added that he and the party will prepare for coming elections.
Residency is the central point in the case. Members of a Danish municipal council must live in the municipality they represent, a requirement Ryle restated in the chamber on Thursday.
The removal is one of a series of disputes to reach the chamber at Copenhagen City Hall. DR notes that the ministry’s decision left the council with little room to reach a different conclusion.
Siddique is now a former member of the Borgerrepræsentation. DR’s report was published on Wednesday evening and updated the same day.
