On Thursday, the Danish Parliament voted on the confidence of Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard (M). It was the first time in 19 years that a minister faced a vote of no confidence. Aagaard survived, but the process has aroused resentment in the government parties. This is what Politiken writes.
The case stems from Aagaard's handling of delays and cost increases in the expansion of the electricity grid. In the summer of 2024, the ministry was informed by the state-owned company Energinet that large parts of the expansion were affected by problems, which the Minister of Climate failed to communicate to the Danish Parliament in a timely manner. This prompted the opposition to demand a vote of no confidence.
Although the minister retained confidence with 86 votes to 85, the government believes that the opposition's approach crossed a line. The day was marked by cancelled clearing agreements and intense mobilization. According to Politiken, the Liberal Party insisted that group members should go to Copenhagen as early as Wednesday to ensure their presence.
- If I had slipped down the stairs on the way to this interview and had to be taken to the emergency room, a minority would suddenly become a majority. That is democratically untenable, says Jan E. Jørgensen, political spokesman for the Liberal Party.
The vote was decided by a difference of one vote, while three North Atlantic mandates played a central role in saving Aagaard's ministerial post.
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