Danish Prime Minister’s Stance on Immigration at EU Parliament

Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen recently addressed EU lawmakers, highlighting the need for respect for national distinctions and borders within European projects. She asserted that the extensive migration agenda of the last decade has adversely affected Europe’s most vulnerable populations.

During her speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Fredericksen championed her country’s unique approach to governance, positioning herself as a leader against mass immigration for the left-wing Social Democrats.

As Denmark takes on the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, Fredericksen expressed her belief in the EU’s goals while also emphasizing the importance of national identity and border protections.

“For me, there’s only one way; it’s Europe. Europe, Europe, Europe,” she stated, but quickly followed up with, “I want to make it very clear that my pride in being part of Europe is rooted in my love for my homeland.” She reiterated her identity, saying, “I’m Danish before anything else.”

Throughout her remarks, she catered to progressives, mentioning issues like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the necessity of supporting the Green Agenda. However, she also articulated her vision of strong borders as progressive, noting that those who suffer the most from high crime rates in European cities are often the disadvantaged.

Fredericksen pointed out that migration poses significant challenges for Europe, impacting people’s lives and societal cohesion. She stressed that European citizens deserve to feel safe in their countries and called for reinforced external borders and a decrease in immigration. Measures to stabilize neighboring countries and streamline the return process for immigrants were also emphasized.

And in what seemed to be a balancing act, she acknowledged the importance of limiting immigration to safeguard Denmark’s extensive welfare system.

She noted, “What has been the norm within our group for some time is now becoming mainstream among various politicians… maybe even in the [European] Parliament, I hope,” while celebrating Denmark’s role in advancing these discussions.

Fredericksen’s approach to immigration policy has garnered responses from both sides of the political spectrum. She advocates for collaboration with figures like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to establish a framework that utilizes third-party countries for processing illegal immigrant claims, rather than allowing them to remain in Europe during this time.

Moreover, Denmark has become a reference point for other populist leaders across Europe, such as Geert Wilders of the Netherlands, who also aligns with the idea of opting out of the EU’s immigration policy, as Denmark previously achieved in the early 1990s.

Thanks to its unique standing, Copenhagen has managed to impose stricter immigration criteria, particularly concerning chain migration and refugee returns, in ways that align with its national interests.

In a notable investigation from 2020, Denmark ranked fourth lowest out of 56 nations regarding family reunification requirements for refugees seeking permanent residency, showcasing its stringent standards.

Denmark also leads in transparency when it comes to crime statistics, including data on nationality and immigration status, a practice that Germany has recently begun to emulate.