In her New Year’s address, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced a reform of deportation procedures: foreigners convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to more than a year in prison should be deported regardless of their ties to Denmark. Euractiv reports.
In her January 1 address, Frederiksen said the government would soon propose a comprehensive deportation reform.
“a comprehensive deportation reform”
– Mette Frederiksen
According to her, Denmark should deport more foreigners who have committed crimes within the country.
According to 2024 data, about a quarter of drivers convicted of careless driving on Danish soil were foreign nationals.
During her speech, Frederiksen stressed that Denmark does not need “reckless driving and a culture of domination”.
“reckless driving and a culture of domination”
– Mette Frederiksen
Together with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Frederiksen is leading a movement to change the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in migration matters. In December 2025, the majority of Council of Europe member states backed the initiative aimed at a more flexible interpretation of the relevant norms.
Key positions and context
Nevertheless, Denmark will not wait for changes in the European Court of Human Rights’ practice. According to Frederiksen, the country will implement the new legislation by summer.
Denmark’s Minister for Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, on January 2 acknowledged that this could put Denmark at risk of violating international law.
Not later than November 2026, elections are due to be held in Denmark. Recent polls indicate that Frederiksen’s party’s rating has fallen from 27% in the 2022 election to less than 20%.
Analysts note that these steps could trigger political backlash within the country and continue the debate over Denmark’s migration policy at the European level.