Denmark’s Tough Stance on Immigration: A Model for Europe?
Denmark, a country known for its liberal and carefree society, has taken a surprising turn in recent years with its increasingly tough stance on immigration. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a Social Democrat, the country has implemented some of the strictest immigration laws in Europe. This shift has led to a significant decrease in asylum requests and has sparked debate about whether Denmark’s approach could be a model for other countries.
According to an article by The Times, Denmark’s change in approach began with the introduction of the "jewellery law" in 2016, which allowed authorities to confiscate valuables from migrants to pay for their processing and settlement. This law was implemented under a centre-right coalition, but Frederiksen’s government has taken it a step further. As The Times reports, since winning election in 2019, Frederiksen has ensured that the right to residency is temporary, granted for one or two years with the assumption that most asylum seekers will return "home" one day. Applicants must promise to learn Danish within six months or face expulsion, and those refused permission to stay are offered up to £50,000 to leave immediately.
The Danish government’s stance on immigration has been driven by a desire to protect the country’s culture and welfare state. Frederiksen has justified her stance by insisting that it is the "lower classes", the least well off in Denmark, who are paying the price of globalisation and mass immigration. As The Times quotes Frederiksen, she insists she is not being racist, but says importing cheap labour risks cultural instability, endangers the generous welfare state and is not the answer to Denmark’s future. Most Danes appear to agree, with Frederiksen increasing her majority in 2022 and the country looking set to give her a third term next year.
The results of these policies have been striking. According to The Times, just 860 asylum requests were granted last year, and only 2,300 applied. The deterrent effect has been almost instantaneous on migrants and people smugglers, with Denmark effectively closing its borders. The government has even taken to posting ads on social media to spell out its approach.
However, this tough stance on immigration has raised questions about who will prop up Denmark’s health service, look after the elderly in care homes, pick the harvest, and clean the saunas. As The Times notes, the Danes are expected to contribute if they want this experiment to succeed, with flexible working, high wages, subsidised childcare, and free health care, but also a culture that doesn’t tolerate slackers.
The implications of Denmark’s approach are far-reaching, with Sweden and Germany looking to see if they can emulate their neighbour’s policies. As The Times reports, with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Frederiksen is now pushing for Europe to reform all asylum policies and adapt the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. This raises the question of whether Britain, with its own left-centre leader Keir Starmer, could learn from Denmark’s approach.
As The Times concludes, "We had to be practical to regain a sense of control over our country and our culture," a liberal Danish friend explained. Her Turkish-born husband added: "This country is too small at only six million to absorb fractious newcomers." Whether or not Britain can follow Denmark’s lead remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Denmark’s tough stance on immigration is a significant shift that is having a profound impact on the country’s culture and society.
The Danish government’s approach has been driven by a desire to balance the needs of its citizens with the demands of a globalised world. As The Times notes, the country has a long history of welcoming refugees and immigrants, but Frederiksen’s government has taken a pragmatic approach to managing the flow of newcomers. Whether or not this approach will be successful in the long term remains to be seen, but it is clear that Denmark is taking a bold step in shaping its own future.
