In 1952, Denmark was the first country in the world to ratify the Geneva Refugee Convention. Now, 72 years later, the Scandinavian kingdom of 5.9 million inhabitants is being held up as an example by conservative parties across Europe, such as Les Républicains in France, who seek inspiration from its ultra-restrictive migration policy, implemented by the right for almost 20 years and continued by the Social Democrats from 2019.
The Social Democrats have long been opposed to the country's reception policy. But after another electoral defeat in 2015, the party led by Frederiksen changed its strategy. The aim was to win back the confidence of its traditional voters, after the majority shifted allegiance to the Danish People's Party, a nationalist, anti-immigration party that has served as an ally to the right since 2001.
To justify this controversial reorientation by the left, the party with its red rose symbol argued that by supporting a generous reception policy it had betrayed the working classes, who have had to bear the brunt of immigration and integration failures, and endangered the welfare state. For the first time in years, the 2019 election campaign did not focus on immigration. The left won, while the Danish People's Party, weakened by scandals, slumped to 8.7% of the vote (from 21% in 2015). In the 2022 parliamentary elections, three nationalist parties still won over 14% of the vote. Although they sit in opposition, their anti-immigration rhetoric is in the majority in Parliament.
Refugees are no longer expected to integrate
In 2019, MPs enacted a "paradigmskift" in Danish asylum policy, the culmination of 20 years of efforts to dissuade would-be migrants from choosing Denmark. Under this paradigm shift, refugees are no longer expected to integrate, but to return to their country of origin as soon as possible. The effects of this policy appear mixed. In 2022, 94,000 residence permits were issued (not including nearly 33,000 Ukrainians), compared with 38,000 in 2001. But the number of refugee permits granted fell from 6,200 in 2001 to 1,400 in 2022, after peaking at 20,000 in 2015 and fluctuating several times.
Since 2015, it is necessary to have lived in the country for nine years and worked there for at least two and a half to receive minimum welfare benefits. Refugees (there are just over 60,000 of these) are entitled to a monthly allowance of 6,228 kroner (€835) for a single adult (double that with a child), provided they learn Danish and are in vocational training and education or looking for work. The police have the right to seize their money or valuables when they enter the country, in order to finance their stay (which rarely happens).
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