Mette Frederiksen in crisis: Denmark against Trump and migration!

Mette Frederiksen in crisis: Denmark against Trump and migration!

Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister, currently finds herself in a violent conflict with the USA, which could turn out to be Denmark's biggest foreign policy crisis in decades. This is reported by the FAZ. While Denmark is traditionally considered a close ally of the USA - Danish soldiers have lost their lives in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan - an aggressive phone call between Frederiksen and Donald Trump is causing a stir. The former US president had suggested taking over Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, by force of arms if necessary. However, Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland cannot be bought and that the decision about the future of the island rests solely with Greenlanders.

In Copenhagen, Frederiksen remains calm in this tense situation. Her confident demeanor, coupled with a clear rejection of Trump's statements, has even increased her approval among the population. She communicates regularly with citizens via Facebook, showing that she remains approachable in times of crisis. The politician has led the country unchallenged for six years and has made a name for herself as a hardliner in recent years, particularly on migration issues.

Role of the EU and migration policy

With the Danish EU Council Presidency that has just begun, the focus is on migration and European defense. Loud Mirror Frederiksen is not without controversy; In the EU she is sometimes viewed as an outsider. Nevertheless, she has become a pioneer in the discussion about new solutions in migration policy to ensure social cohesion in Denmark. She sees the Ukraine conflict as a fight for the freedom of Europe, which underpins her commitment to Ukraine.

Denmark's approach to immigration has changed dramatically in recent decades. Where the country was once known for its liberal stance on refugees, politics have become increasingly tense following the 2015 European refugee crisis. The Federal Agency for Civic Education points out that Denmark today has the most restrictive asylum policy in the Nordic countries. The country has an opt-out rule that excludes it from the EU's Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and has submitted proposals to the EU Commission to outsource migration policy and create return centers.

The numbers are also revealing: As of January 1, 2024, there were around 943,066 immigrants and their descendants living in Denmark, which corresponds to around 16% of the total population. The proportion of immigrants has increased from 3% in 1980 to 15.8% in 2024. Despite the high numbers, access to citizenship remains almost impossible for immigrants, and critics say Denmark performs poorly in the areas of family reunification and permanent residence.

In this tense situation, the current developments around Greenland and migration policy are providing lively discussion in Denmark and beyond. Frederiksen now not only has to keep an eye on the domestic political mood, but also re-examine international relations with the USA and further consolidate Denmark's role in the EU.