The Social Democrats are now willing to entertain the idea of reintroducing major days of prayer, a notable shift from their previous stance over the years. This revelation came during a brief press conference on Wednesday, led by Finance Minister Nicolai Wammen, in the wake of discussions surrounding a new collective agreement.
“If we find ourselves in a position to form a government, we’re open to discussions on this matter,” Wammen stated, indicating a potential reevaluation of party policy.
Historically, the Social Democratic Party has consistently resisted calls to reinstate major days of prayer, which were abolished in 2023. However, Wednesday’s press briefing saw the Socialist People’s Party (SF) demand the reintroduction of these days as a condition for their support in forming a new government. Wammen clarified that this demand is not set in stone; the SF is open to negotiations.
“The SF has indicated that this is not an absolute requirement but rather an item they wish to discuss,” he explained, suggesting that the matter could feature prominently in the upcoming general election, slated for no later than October 2026.
In the recent municipal elections of November 2025, the SF made significant gains while the Social Democrats faced a substantial setback. In response to this shift, the party has adjusted its approach, implementing measures such as a food check for voters and a political agreement to lower VAT amid escalating living costs.
In 2024, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had previously stated in the Folketingsalen that any party wishing to maintain major prayer days would need to source the funding independently. Wammen reiterated this point on Wednesday.
“I don’t outright reject SF’s proposal, but it must be viewed in context. The money allocated to reintroducing major prayer days will come at a cost elsewhere in society,” Wammen remarked.
The decision to abolish these days was made by the Social Democratic-led government in 2022, a move aimed at financing increased defense spending and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The elimination of major prayer days has resulted in a significant boost to the treasury, a fact that Pia Olsen Dyhr of the SF acknowledges, although she refrained from specifying alternative funding sources.
She argued that the state treasury is not lacking in resources, a sentiment supported by the discovery of substantial financial surpluses projected in the coming years.
The Alternative, Enhedslisten, along with the four blue parties—Liberal Alliance, The Danish Democrats, The Conservatives, and The Danish People’s Party—are advocating for the return of these public holidays but remain divided on how to finance them.
As discussions unfold, it remains to be seen how this evolving narrative will resonate with the electorate in the lead-up to the next elections.
