Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has publicly declared that immigration is the greatest internal threat facing Denmark and the broader Nordic region, a position rarely voiced so directly by a sitting Western leader, particularly from the center-left.
The comments came during a lengthy domestic and foreign policy session in the Danish Parliament this week, where Frederiksen answered wide-ranging questions on national issues, including Denmark’s immigration policy and the long-debated repatriation of Syrian refugees.
Frederiksen: “I am a patriot”
Asked by Green Party leader Pia Olsen Dyhr what she believes to be the greatest internal threat to Nordic societies, Frederiksen did not hesitate:
“That is immigration, in my eyes,” she replied. “If immigration takes place on the wrong premises, and there are too many people who commit crime, who are not democrats, and who thereby threaten our trust in an open society, then that is the biggest threat.”
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of national cohesion and cultural confidence, stating:
“I am a patriot. I love our country. And I am so proud of what we are able to do… For me, there is no contradiction between being proudly Danish and contributing to European cooperation.”
Her comments reflect a growing unease in Denmark and other Nordic countries, where years of mass immigration have tested the limits of integration and strained the social trust upon which their welfare states were built.
Returning Syrians: “We have to see when we can begin to force it again”
Frederiksen also acknowledged that the time may be approaching to end voluntary-only repatriation of Syrians who arrived during the 2015–2016 migration wave.
“That has always been possible voluntarily,” she said. “And now we have to see when we can begin to force it again.”
Frederiksen’s remarks came in response to Denmark Democrats leader Inger Støjberg, who pressed the Prime Minister for action. Støjberg argued that many Syrians should return home, now that major conflict zones have stabilized. While Denmark has already revoked residence permits for some Syrians, Frederiksen’s words signal a readiness to expand those efforts.
Immigration Debate Splits the Government Coalition
Frederiksen’s firmer tone on immigration stands in contrast to views expressed by members of her coalition, particularly Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen of the Moderates, who previously suggested opening Denmark to African immigration to offset demographic decline.
“Europe is shrinking,” Rasmussen argued in 2021. “We are doing so in terms of both the number of inhabitants and our relative share of the global economy… For me, this is about safeguarding clear Danish interests.”
His comments, widely criticized at the time, contributed to a collapse in his party’s popularity. Many Danes rejected the idea that demographic or economic concerns justify further immigration, particularly from culturally distant regions.
A Shift in Rhetoric, or a Policy Turning Point?
While Frederiksen’s statements were measured, they mark a clear rejection of the open-border policies embraced by many Western elites over the past two decades. Her acknowledgment that immigration can actively undermine democracy, trust, and social order aligns with a growing public consensus in Denmark.
The question now is whether her rhetoric signals a deeper policy shift or whether it will remain a defensive political posture amid declining government support.
