After time on the sidelines, Jon Stephensen can give Løkke valuable new perspectives on the Moderates, he says.
Jon Stephensen had no future in Danish politics – and certainly not in the Moderates.
That was the blunt message from chairman Lars Løkke Rasmussen to Jon Stephensen when he had to leave the party in disgrace.
But now the independent is again participating in the group meetings of the Moderates.
And that has given Lars Løkke Rasmussen completely new perspectives on the party, he explains to Ritzau.
“Now we are not allowed to report from closed group meetings, so I am not allowed to do that either, but for me it has been interesting to get his perspective on the Moderates after observing it all from the outside,” he says.
The statement comes on Constitution Day after a question from Ritzau about what role Jon Stephensen will now play in the Moderates:
“What role does he play? He plays no role in the Moderates, because he is not a member of the Moderates,” says Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
He then explains the constellation in more detail.
“An agreement has been made with him that he can follow our group meetings. And he does so.”
Jon Stephensen has been observing the Moderates from the outside for a period of time, and Lars Løkke Rasmussen has benefited from hearing about it, the response continues.
Loop goes away from question
Ritzau then tries to get an answer as to why Jon Stephensen has been allowed into the party room again, but the chairman turns around and walks away when the question is asked.
In August 2023, Jon Stephensen was expelled from the party after he had written inappropriate messages to a younger woman from the youth party.
Here Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that Jon Stephensen had no future in the Moderates and Danish politics.
“We have tried through quiet diplomacy to send an unequivocal message that there is no future for you in the Moderates.”
“Shouldn’t we try in some way to help both the Moderates and you, because you have no future in Danish politics,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen said to DR in August 2023.
ritzau
