The “Great Prayer Day” saga is not over. Even though the law has been proposed and the government has enough votes to pass it once it’s submitted for a vote, the trade unions and the opposition parties are doing everything to stop it. The law will be voted on at the end of February.
- Traditionally, the trade unions have been represented politically by Socialdemokratiet. However, it seems that the relationship between the social-democrats and the trade unions is at the lowest point ever. The leader of the trade unions, Lizette Risgaard said that this law opens the precedent where the government can intervene and take more free days, maybe even a Sunday.
- The trade unions are calling for a referendum on the law. Large demonstrations against the government are planned for next week.
- In the middle of this saga, the new collective agreement is being negotiated. The old one expires on March 1st 2023. There are concerns that the union members will not be able to separate their anger against the government and increase their demands from the employers, leading to a major conflict.
- The opposition parties have been called to negotiations at the Ministry of Finance. They have alternative ideas on how to obtain the 3.2 billion DKK needed annually to strengthen the army.
- At the moment, there are 26 members of the Danish Parliament asking for a referendum, after Alternativet joined the call. 60 are needed.
