Weekly political overview
The local politicians in Copenhagen decided to name a town square in Nørrebro, “Palæstina Plads”. Enhedslisten (Red-Green), SF (Socialists), Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals), and Alternativet (Greens) made the proposal.
Every third mayor in Denmark (there are 98) experiences excessive work pressure. The work week for a mayor is 80 hours on average. Last year alone, four mayors went on indefinite sick leave (Halsnæs, Viborg, Struer, and Bornholm).
The EU Commissioner from Denmark, Dan Jørgensen, has been proposed for the Energy and Housing portfolio. If he passes the hearings in the European Parliament, then he will be in charge of the Energy Directorate-General (like a Ministry at the European level) and the taskforce on housing.
Who are the six vice presidents of the European Commission? Henna Virkkunen (Finland) on Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy; Stephane Sejourne (France) on Prosperity and Industrial Strategy; Rafaelle Fitto (Italy) on Cohesion and Reforms; Kaja Kallas (Estonia) on Foreign Affairs; Roxana Minzatu (Romania) on People, Skills, and Preparedness; and Teresa Ribera (Spain) on Competition.
Focus
Say hello to Region East Danmark: Denmark will go from five regions to four. According to the healthcare reform presented this week, the Capital Region and the Zealand (Sjælland) Region will be united into one region called Region East Denmark. Most likely, the transition to the new region will be completed in November 2025, when the next local and regional elections will take place.
- The new region will represent 2.8 million people, almost half the population of Denmark.
- Why? Region Zealand has struggled with a lack of doctors and medical staff for a long time now. There are almost 4 doctors per 1,000 patients in Zealand, while there are almost 6 doctors per 1,000 patients in the capital.
- What does it mean for doctors in the Capital Region? They will also take shifts in the Zealand hospitals. A slightly longer commute is on the menu.
50 initiatives in healthcare reform: Besides the establishment of a new region, there are five other very important initiatives in the reform package.
- GP doctors that choose to settle in areas where there is a shortage will be paid more.
- Specialist doctors from major hospitals must also take shifts in smaller regional hospitals. Plus, there will be a ceiling on how many specialists can be hired by one hospital.
- 140 more study places for people who want to study medicine. 70 places at Aalborg University, 50 places at South Denmark University, and 20 places at Copenhagen University – Køge.
- New rights for the chronically ill. Chronic disease patients will be referred to a “pakkeforløb” similar to the one cancer patients receive.
- The establishment of 17 health councils (sundhedsråd). Each council will be formed from elected local and regional council members. They will be given responsibility for developing local health services, and then a number of health tasks will be moved from the municipalities to the new health councils.
