By Denmark on Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Category: English

Program for Denmark

DIRECTDEMOCRACYS

The Global Direct Democracy Movement

DENMARK'S POLITICAL PROGRAM

2025–2035

Analysis • Criticism • Solutions • Consequences

A complete, realistic and detailed program based on logic, common sense, truth, coherence and mutual respect.

FOREWORD — DirectDemocracyS and Denmark

DirectDemocracyS (DDS) is a global political organization founded on principles of shared leadership, collective ownership, and direct democracy. We are not a traditional political party. We are a system — a living, scalable, and self-correcting governance system — that puts citizens at the center of all decisions.

This program is written for Denmark. It is not an election program filled with empty promises. It is an honest analysis of Denmark's real situation in 2025, a constructive and sharp criticism of the structural weaknesses that no one dares to speak openly about, and a detailed, concrete and realistic set of solutions based on logic, common sense, scientific data and international comparison.

Denmark is in many ways a model country. It is rich, relatively equal, socially coherent and with strong institutions. But it is not perfect. Many problems are hidden behind the smooth surface of the statistics: a housing crisis that suffocates young people, a healthcare sector under massive pressure, a democratic distance between citizens and decision-makers, a tax system that rewards capital rather than work, and an education model that reproduces inequality rather than combats it.

DDS does not offer magic. We offer a system. A system built on: direct democratic participation in all important decisions, complete transparency in economics and governance, collective ownership of the resources that belong to everyone, and a logic that prioritizes people over profits.

CHAPTER 1 — POLITICAL SITUATION: ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM

1.1 The parliamentary system and its limits

The Danish Folketing is formally a representative democracy with 179 seats and a long tradition of minority governments and broad compromises. In theory, this is a sign of political maturity. In practice, it has created a political culture characterized by compromise, invisible power and systematic postponement of difficult decisions.

Voter turnout in the 2022 Danish general election was 84.2% — one of the highest in Europe. But participation in the vote itself is not the same as real political influence. Between elections, the average Dane has no direct mechanism to influence concrete political decisions. Citizens vote every four years and then hand over all power to politicians who are controlled by the party whip, lobbyists and media logic.

Concrete example: When the government decided in 2022-2023 to significantly increase defense spending in response to the war in Ukraine, this was done without a referendum, without citizen consultation, and without a real debate about priorities. The money came from the existing budget — with consequences for other sectors — but citizens were never asked.

Criticism: Structural distance between citizens and decisions

The central democratic problem in Denmark is not corruption or authoritarianism. It is systemic apathy supported by an institutional structure that treats the citizen as a voter, not as a participant. The political system rewards party loyalty over citizen proximity. Ministers are not accountable to the citizens but to the party leadership.

DDS's solution is not a new party that promises the same thing. DDS is a system that changes the power structure itself.

1.2 DDS's democratic model for Denmark

DDS proposes a gradual implementation of direct democratic mechanisms in parallel with and as a supplement to the existing parliamentary system. The goal is not to abolish the Folketinget but to make it an implementing body for the citizens' direct decisions.

Concrete policy proposals:

Expected consequence:

A direct democratic model will fundamentally change political culture in 5-10 years. Citizens who know they have real power become more engaged. Lobbying loses its privileged status. Decisions gain stronger legitimacy. International research (Switzerland, Iceland, New Zealand) shows that direct democratic mechanisms increase citizens' trust in institutions by 20-35%.

CHAPTER 2 — ECONOMIC SITUATION: ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM

2.1 Denmark's economy: Strengths and structural weaknesses

Denmark is one of the world's richest nations measured by GDP per capita (approximately DKK 430,000 per person in 2024). Unemployment is low (approximately 5%), inflation is under control after the 2021-2023 crisis, and public debt is moderate. These are real strengths and should be honestly acknowledged.

But these macroeconomic figures hide important structural problems that affect concrete people:

Problem 1: Growing inequality

The Gini coefficient for Denmark has risen steadily since the 1990s. The richest 10% now own over 64% of private wealth. The bottom 50% own less than 5%. This is not natural market dynamics — it is the result of deliberate policy choices: lower top taxes, capital income is taxed less than labor income, and inheritance transmits inequality across generations.

Problem 2: Housing market collapse

Housing prices in Copenhagen have increased by 180% since 2010. An average apartment in the capital costs over 4 million kroner. A young person with an average starting salary (approx. 32,000 kroner/month) cannot save enough to pay off in less than 10-15 years. This is not a natural market phenomenon — it is the result of a housing policy that systematically favors owners over renters and speculators over families.

Problem 3: Hidden business concentration

The Danish business community is increasingly dominated by large corporations and international platforms. SMEs — the backbone of Danish society — are pressured by increasing administrative burdens, poor banking conditions and competition from tax-optimizing multinationals.

2.2 DDS's economic program

Tax and redistribution:

Housing policy:

Business policy:

Expected consequence in 10 years:

Indicator

Expected change

Gini coefficient

Decrease from 0.29 to 0.22 (1980s level)

Housing prices (Copenhagen)

Stabilization + decrease of 15-20% in real terms

Public housing

+250,000 new units

SME employment

+80,000 jobs in 5 years

Additional public revenues

+45-55 billion DKK/year from new taxes

Median disposable income

+12,000 DKK/year for lower 50%

CHAPTER 3 — THE FINANCIAL SECTOR: ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM

3.1 Bank power and systemic risks

The Danish banking sector is dominated by a few large institutions: Danske Bank, Nordea, Jyske Bank and Nykredit. These institutions hold a disproportionate share of the financial power in the country and have repeatedly been shown to put their own interests ahead of those of society.

The Danske Bank money laundering scandal (Estonia, 2007-2015) is the largest in European banking history: approximately 200 billion euros in suspicious transactions. The bank paid fines of 2 billion dollars and avoided criminal prosecution of individual managers. This is not an exception — it is a symptom of a system without real accountability.

The mortgage system is remarkable in the Danish context and internationally recognized for its efficiency. However, it has also contributed to the housing price spiral by making it too easy to borrow large sums against property security, thereby inflating prices.

Criticism: Privatized profits, socialized losses

During the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the Danish state bailed out banks with billions from taxpayers. No bank CEO went to prison. The bonuses returned within 2 years. This pattern — profits are privatized, losses are socialized — is the central ethical and economic problem in the financial sector.

3.2 DDS's financial reforms

Expected consequence:

CHAPTER 4 — WELFARE, HEALTH AND SOCIAL COHESION

4.1 The healthcare system: A sector in crisis

The Danish healthcare system is universal, tax-financed and generally highly rated in international comparisons. But behind the positive rankings lie serious structural problems that are worsening year by year.

Critical issues identified:

4.2 DDS's health reform

Structurally:

Salary and working conditions:

Mental health:

Stop privatization:

Expected consequence:

4.3 Social benefits and poverty alleviation

Denmark has a strong social safety net, but it is not without gaps. Approximately 220,000 Danes live below the relative poverty line (2024). The cash benefit system is complex, stigmatizing and difficult to navigate for those who are most vulnerable.

Specific problems:

DDS's social reform:

CHAPTER 5 — EDUCATION: ANALYSIS AND CRITICISM

5.1 A system that reproduces inequality

Denmark spends approximately 6.5% of its GDP on education — above the EU average. Yet it has been documented that social inheritance is strong in the Danish education system. The chance of a young person with unskilled parents pursuing higher education is 3 times lower than for a young person with academic parents.

Structural problems:

5.2 DDS's educational reform

Elementary school:

SU reform:

Vocational training:

Higher education:

Expected consequence:

CHAPTER 6 — CLIMATE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

6.1 Denmark's climate situation

Denmark has set ambitious climate goals: 70% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2030 (compared to 1990), climate neutrality by 2050. This is positive. But the actual implementation is seriously lagging behind the ambitions.

Factual issues:

6.2 DDS's climate and energy program

Energy:

Agriculture:

Buildings:

Circular economy:

Expected consequence:

CHAPTER 7 — IMMIGRATION, INTEGRATION AND DIVERSITY

7.1 An honest analysis of a complex situation

Immigration is the most politically charged issue in Danish politics. DDS approaches it with facts, not emotions — neither the open border utopia nor the closed fortress fantasy.

Factual starting points:

7.2 DDS's immigration and integration policy

Principles:

DDS recognizes the right of the nation state to regulate immigration. At the same time, we recognize the fundamental rights and dignity of all people. The two principles are not contradictory — they require a nuanced policy.

Specific suggestions:

CHAPTER 8 — DIGITAL DEMOCRACY AND TECHNOLOGY

8.1 Denmark's digital strengths and risks

Denmark is globally recognized as one of the world's most digitalized nations. NemID/MitID, Digital Post and e-Government are real successes. But digitalization without democratic control creates new risks.

Problems:

8.2 DDS's digital program

CHAPTER 9 — DEFENCE, SECURITY AND FOREIGN POLICY

9.1 Analysis of Denmark's security situation

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has fundamentally changed the European security landscape. Denmark has responded by significantly increasing defense spending — towards 2% of GDP (NATO's target) and is already close to it. It is a pragmatic necessity.

But defense spending alone does not create security. True security requires diplomatic engagement, international rule of law, and the reduction of the social and political causes of conflict.

Tensions and criticism:

9.2 DDS's foreign and defense policy

CHAPTER 10 — IMPLEMENTATION: TIMELINE AND FUNDING

10.1 Financing plan

DDS's program is ambitious. It requires investment. But it is fully financeable within the existing tax base + new taxes we propose. Here is the overall financing statement:

NEW TAX REVENUE (billion DKK/year)

NEW EXPENDITURE (billion DKK/year)

Wealth tax: +18 billion.

Healthcare reform: -12 billion.

Financial transaction tax: +10 billion.

Education reform: -8 billion.

Platform tax: +6 billion.

Housing fund: -10 billion.

Green tax restructuring: +12 billion.

Climate investment: -15 billion

Property tax reform: +8 billion.

Social reform: -6 billion.

TOTAL NEW REVENUE: +54 billion

TOTAL NEW EXPENDITURE: -51 billion.

NET BALANCE: +3 billion DKK/year (increases to +15 billion after 5 years via growth effects)

10.2 Implementation timeline

Years 1-2 (2025-2026): The Foundation

Years 3-5 (2027-2029): Acceleration

Years 6-10 (2030-2035): Consolidation

CHAPTER 11 — CONCLUSION: A POSSIBLE DENMARK

There are no magic solutions. But there are well-thought-out, evidence-based and ethically sound solutions that political will, democratic legitimacy and collective action can realize.

DDS's program for Denmark is not a utopia. It is a task. Every single proposal is based on: concrete data from Danish reality, success models from other countries that are already implementing similar policies, sound logic that puts people before profits and systems before individuals, and mutual respect — for citizens, for the truth, and for future generations.

Denmark is one of the world's best starting points for a truly democratic revolution. The country has the resources, institutions, education and social capital to do so. What is missing is political courage and systemic vision.

DirectDemocracyS offers both.

DirectDemocracyS — The system is the solution.

public.directdemocracys.org

This document is released under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 4.0.

Free reproduction and distribution is permitted with acknowledgement of the source.

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