Danish PM acknowledges political mistakes in New Year’s address

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen admitted to political errors in governance and suggested she may not win reelection this year.

Speaking to the nation for the New Year, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has been in office for over six years, acknowledged that some of the criticism directed at her was justified and admitted that she has not always listened to the public properly, according to excerpts published by Danish TV channel TV2.

She acknowledged taking insufficient measures to address high food prices but pledged that Denmark will continue supporting Ukraine. 

Frederiksen also announced a reform of the deportation system, under which migrants convicted of serious crimes will be expelled from the country.

Mette Frederiksen has served as Prime Minister of Denmark since June 2019 and is the second woman and youngest person to hold that office in Danish history.

She was born in Aalborg into a family active in social democracy, joined the Social Democrats’ youth wing at 15, and was first elected to the Danish Parliament at age 24.

Before becoming prime minister, she held senior government roles, including Minister of Employment and Minister of Justice, and became leader of the Social Democrats in 2015.

By Jeyhun Aghazada