New laws
🧠 Denmark just unveiled a major new mental health plan. The government’s long-awaited strategy, A Stronger Psychiatry, promises 4.6 billion DKK over 10 years to fix a system many say has long been neglected. Key changes include faster treatment for young people with anxiety and depression, new ADHD and autism clinics, better support for parents, and a stronger focus on early intervention. The plan also ends public funding for private diagnoses without referral and aims to reduce long waits with more staff and capacity.
🔧 Denmark’s biggest job market reform slashes red tape but sparks major backlash. The employment minister has unveiled a sweeping reform aimed at simplifying the employment system, cutting 2.7 billion DKK and reducing bureaucracy. The changes eliminate 500,000 mandatory job center meetings per year and remove 9 out of 10 sanctions for rule violations. Crucially, municipalities are no longer required to have job centers; they now get to shape job efforts as they see fit.
The goal? A more dignified, human-centered system with fewer control mechanisms and more flexibility. But not everyone is clapping. Trade unions and experts call it risky and warn it could become “a historic failure.” Critics fear that slashing staff and simplifying rules will lead to higher social costs and leave vulnerable citizens behind. With 3,500 job center staff potentially losing their jobs, many believe the reform prioritizes savings over support.
Law proposals
🧸 No more forever chemicals in toys. The EU has agreed on new rules to ban PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals,” and other hormone-disrupting substances in toys. The law also introduces digital product passports and QR codes for better transparency and border control. Danish officials and consumer groups welcome the move, calling it a major step in protecting children’s health. The law still needs final approval from the European Parliament and Council, but is expected to pass.
🏠 Help for rural homebuyers. The government wants to expand and make permanent the state-backed mortgage guarantee for homes in rural areas. The scheme, known as Lån på Landet, will now cover a larger portion of the loan. The goal is to make it easier to buy and sell homes outside the big cities, where the housing market has slowed.
Political scene
🚨 We face the most serious threat landscape since WWII, warns a new national security report. Presented by the emergency management minister, the “Nationalt Sikkerhedsbillede 2025” highlights 16 major risks, from sabotage and hybrid warfare to energy supply and climate disruptions. The government urges municipalities and regions to revisit their preparedness plans, while Dansk Industri calls the report a “wake-up call” for businesses. The message is clear: start planning now, because the threats aren’t just military; they’re digital, environmental, and infrastructure-related too.
🇺🇸 U.S. troops in Denmark? Parliament has begun debating a controversial defense deal with the U.S. that would allow American soldiers and military equipment on our soil. The agreement was made under Biden but is now up for a vote as Trump returned to power, raising public concern. Nearly half the population is against the proposal. The deal includes access to Danish air bases. While the government defends it, only Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) and Alternativet (Greens) oppose it outright.
🌍 The climate minister survives a no-confidence declaration. After a three-hour hearing, a united opposition in the Climate Committee declared no trust in Minister Lars Aagaard for withholding critical information on power grid delays. Despite apologies, the opposition says cooperation is now impossible. However, with support from three North Atlantic MPs and independent MP Jon Stephensen, the government retains a majority, keeping Aagaard in office.
