ImmigrationProf Blog

Friday, June 19, 2015

Anti-Immigrant Party Gains in Denmark Elections

Melissa Eddy of the New York Times reports that, in an election that turned on economic uncertainty and fierce debates over immigration, Danish voters have ousted a center-left government in a swing to the right that elevated an anti-immigrant, anti-European Union party that had been on the margins of the country’s politics. The far-right Danish People’s Party emerged in second place over all, raising questions about the role it could play in a new government and the country’s path in the coming four years.

The Party Program of the Danish People's Party as established October 2002 includes

"As has been the case until now, the essence of the party program is a warm and strong love of our country.

In the Danish People's Party we are proud of Denmark; we love our country and we feel a historic obligation to protect our country, its people and the Danish cultural heritage.

This sense of obligation implies the need for a strong national defence, and secure and safe national borders. Only in a free Denmark can the country develop according to the will of the people."

The Party Program specifically states:

"The country is founded on the Danish cultural heritage and therefore, Danish culture must be preserved and strengthened.

This culture consists of the sum of the Danish people's history, experience, beliefs, language and customs. Preservation and further development of this culture is crucial to the country's survival as a free and enlightened society.

Therefore we wish to see action on a broad front to strengthen the Danish national heritage everywhere. Outside Denmark's borders we would like to give financial, political and moral support to Danish minorities.

Denmark is not an immigrant-country and never has been. Thus we will not accept transformation to a multiethnic society.

Denmark belongs to the Danes and its citizens must be able to live in a secure community founded on the rule of law, which develops along the lines of Danish culture.

It ought to be possible to absorb foreigners into Danish society provided however, that this does not put security and democratic government at risk. To a limited extent and according to special rules and in conformity with the stipulations of the Constitution, foreign nationals should be able to obtain Danish citizenship."