Free dental care, lower taxes and stronger welfare – the new government has presented its platform

The new government, consisting of the Social Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party (SF), the Moderates and the Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre), with Mette Frederiksen as Prime Minister, intends, according to its government platform, to lower taxes, strengthen welfare and guide Denmark in a greener and safer direction through a turbulent period.

In its political platform, the new four-party coalition sets out a broad reform agenda in which economic growth, the green transition, stronger welfare and increased security are to go hand in hand.

The government, made up of the Social Democrats, SF, the Moderates and the Social Liberal Party, describes Denmark as a strong country, but also as a country facing major challenges. According to the government platform, Denmark should become freer, safer, wealthier and greener, while social cohesion must be strengthened.

A central focus is children and young people. The government will invest in public schools, daycare institutions and leisure activities. Plans include a new funding model for public schools, renovation of worn-out schools, improved staffing levels in daycare institutions and a targeted effort for the 100 schools where pupils perform worst in Danish and mathematics. The government will also introduce a minimum age of 15 for social media use, without the possibility of parental exemption from the age of 13.

In the environmental field, the government will implement a comprehensive restructuring of agriculture and nature policy. The Green Tripartite Agreement is to be implemented, more forests will be planted, more natural areas created, and a national ban on pesticide use introduced in vulnerable groundwater recharge areas. The government also intends to change the direction of Danish pig production so that more pigs are produced for use in Denmark or processed domestically before export. At the same time, stricter animal welfare requirements are proposed.

The government will strengthen local welfare in both urban and rural areas. This will be achieved, among other measures, through a comprehensive plan for rural municipalities, multi-year financial agreements for municipalities and regions, an institutional reform providing greater local freedom and a modernization of the Planning Act. In addition, the government will temporarily increase the commuter tax deduction to help Danes affected by rising petrol and diesel prices.

Housing policy also plays a significant role. The government will increase the supply of housing, particularly in the capital region, and proposes a Housing Plan 2030 for Copenhagen and Frederiksberg. The objectives include more social housing, more owner-occupied homes and at least 4,000 new student and youth housing units in Copenhagen by 2030. The government will also appoint an expert commission to examine models for taxing realized housing gains, although a new property tax system cannot enter into force until after a future general election at the earliest.

In healthcare, the government will implement the healthcare reform and strengthen preventive care. It has a long-term ambition of providing free non-cosmetic dental care for the entire population, beginning with additional groups. Plans also include a Prevention Fund, a digital health assistant, improved fertility treatment, a new dementia action plan and an emergency plan for child and adolescent psychiatry.

Economically, the government aims to make Denmark wealthier. It will present a 2035 plan with the goal of increasing prosperity by DKK 70 billion and raising structural employment by 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The government will halve VAT on food and eliminate VAT entirely on fruit and vegetables as soon as technically possible. It also intends to abolish the middle tax bracket and the top-top tax, reduce corporate tax and introduce a cap on interest deductions.

For businesses, the government will reduce administrative burdens by 25 per cent by 2035, implement a capital taxation reform and make it easier for companies to access capital, affordable green energy and artificial intelligence. At the same time, it will maintain respect for the Danish labour market model.

Artificial intelligence is a distinct priority area in the government platform. The government will use AI to improve public services and free up at least 30,000 full-time equivalent positions in the public sector. At the same time, it will strengthen regulation, data security and digital sovereignty. Plans also include an AI Acceleration Fund and an AI licence/certification programme developed in cooperation with civil society.

In immigration policy, the government will maintain a strict approach and ensure control over how many people come to Denmark. At the same time, it states that Denmark must comply with international conventions and maintain development assistance at 0.7 per cent of GNI.

Security and defence policy feature prominently in the platform. The government will allocate at least 5 per cent of GDP to defence and emergency preparedness by 2030, of which 3.5 per cent will be dedicated to defence. Denmark is to rearm, strengthen total defence preparedness, support Ukraine and work towards a stronger and more independent Europe. NATO will remain the foundation of Danish security policy, but Europe should increasingly be able to assume responsibility for its own security.

The government will also modernize the Realm Community while respecting the right of Greenland and the Faroe Islands to self-determination. It states that nothing concerning Greenland in international affairs should be decided without Greenland, and nothing concerning the Faroe Islands without the Faroe Islands. At the same time, the government will strengthen the Armed Forces’ capabilities in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Overall, the government platform portrays a government seeking to combine tax reductions and business reforms with investments in welfare, the green transition and security. The government also emphasizes that many of these initiatives are to be implemented in cooperation with parliamentary parties, political agreement circles, municipalities, regions, labour market parties and other relevant stakeholders.

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