In Randers, local social democrats hold Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to a promise of financial support after an extensive landslide has pushed the municipality’s economy to the breaking point. Steen Bundgaard, group leader for the Social Democrats in the Randers City Council, emphasizes the importance of the prime minister’s previous statements that Randers residents should not be left alone with the bill for the damages. During a visit in January, where the prime minister personally inspected the damage area in Ølst, she stated that it would be “completely unreasonable” if the costs were to be borne by the city’s most vulnerable residents – including kindergarten children and the elderly.
This statement has raised expectations of additional financial support from the government, in addition to the already allocated 205 million Danish kroner, which according to local politicians, falls far short of the needs. The situation has been further complicated by statements from Minister of the Environment Magnus Heunicke, who announced last week that Randers Municipality should not expect additional funds beyond the original amount. This is in contrast to the expectations in Randers, where the municipality is on the brink of bankruptcy due to the massive expenses associated with the landslide at Nordic Waste.
Local politicians and residents are now awaiting a clear statement from the prime minister regarding further financial support, as the current financial assistance is inadequate to cover the extensive damages and prevent an economic crisis in the municipality. The prime minister’s office has not yet commented on the matter.