In a surprising political maneuver, Liberal Alliance and the Danish Democrats have accepted an increase in the number of conscripts to 7,500, which also entails a greater inclusion of women in the draft, despite previous resistance from both parties. This was confirmed during an agreement presentation on Tuesday evening, where the leader of the Liberal Alliance, Alex Vanopslagh, assured that the party still stands strong despite the compromise. “It is the essence of political negotiations that one must give and take. We are satisfied with the overall result,” Vanopslagh stated. Although Liberal Alliance and the Danish Democrats had vetoed female conscription in the original defense agreement, a majority outside of the two parties has ensured that this part of the agreement will still be implemented. Starting from the next parliamentary election, the new number of conscripts will include women, marking a significant change in Danish defense policy.
In 2023, there were 4,700 conscripts, all volunteers, but with the new agreement, it is likely that more, including women, will be called up involuntarily. Inger Støjberg, leader of the Danish Democrats, also commented on the situation: “We have been open to increasing the number of conscripts, and that is not where the issue lies for us. It is the political processes afterwards that have forced us to accept parts of the agreement we do not agree with.” This development in Danish politics shows a clear willingness to adapt and revise previous positions in light of broader political agreements and majority decisions.