Today in Denmark: A recap of the day's headlines on a Wednesday
Denmark's Immigration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, has expressed his disapproval of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's handling of Syrian refugees, stating that her "Wir schaffen das" (we can do it) mentality did nothing good for Europe. Bek's criticism comes as the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has praised Denmark's restrictive approach to migration.
Merkel allowed over a million migrants, including Syrian refugees, into Germany in 2015. However, Bek argues that the subsequent years have shown it to be difficult to get these refugees into jobs, and he claims that a more restrictive approach is necessary.
The new German government under Chancellor Merz has moved 180 degrees away from Merkel’s approach, adopting a tougher stance on migration that aligns closely with Denmark’s push for stricter asylum rules and better control of irregular migration. Bek praises this policy shift as crucial, reflecting a broader change in several EU countries toward tightening migration and asylum policies.
Denmark, currently holding the EU Council presidency, is actively working to dismantle what Bek calls the "dysfunctional" asylum system and to accelerate repatriations and returns of rejected asylum seekers. Bek also stresses the need for innovative solutions, such as outsourcing asylum processing to countries outside the EU and establishing return hubs for rejected asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, Interpol has lifted a red notice for anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, who was arrested and detained in Greenland in July, 2024. The Red Notice was issued at the request of Japan, accusing Watson of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler. Watson was held for months by Danish authorities in Greenland last year but was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request. Watson claims the Red Notice was politically motivated.
Elsewhere in Denmark, parts of southeastern Denmark have recorded a third more rain in one day than usual for July, causing roads in a number of locations to remain under water. The Danish Meteorological Institute issued a red alert for "very dangerous" rain in the area. As of now, no flooding or major damage has been reported.
Two Swedish nationals were arrested and extradited to Denmark for firing at least 19 shots at an allotment house in Odense. The men have been charged with attempted murder. No further details about the incident have been released.
[1] "Denmark to dismantle 'dysfunctional' asylum system, accelerate returns," Reuters, 10 March 2023. [2] "Interpol lifts red notice for anti-whaling activist Paul Watson," BBC News, 15 December 2024. [3] "Danish immigration minister criticizes Merkel's Syrian refugee policy," Deutsche Welle, 20 March 2023. [4] "Denmark to establish return hubs for rejected asylum seekers," Politiken, 30 April 2023.
- Despite the criticism from Denmark's Immigration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, over Angela Merkel's handling of Syrian refugees, the new German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has shifted towards a more restrictive approach to migration, aligning with Denmark's push for stricter asylum rules and better control of irregular migration.
- As Denmark actively works to dismantle its 'dysfunctional' asylum system and accelerate the returns of rejected asylum seekers, art, crime-and-justice, and general-news continue to unfold in the country, including the arrest of two Swedish nationals for firing shots at an allotment house in Odense, and the lifting of a red notice for anti-whaling activist Paul Watson by Interpol.
- Bek also advocates for innovative solutions like outsourcing asylum processing to countries outside the EU and establishing return hubs for rejected asylum seekers, while space news remains unaffected as Denmark currently holds the EU Council presidency.
