Danish People’s Party (DF) has long been part of the broad political agreement to reduce Denmark’s climate footprint, but now the party is threatening to withdraw from the cooperation. According to the party’s leader, Morten Messerschmidt, DF will not support a CO2 tax if it leads to job losses or higher food prices. Back in December 2019, DF was involved in reaching an agreement on a binding climate law aimed at reducing Denmark’s greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to the 1990 level, and for the country to be climate neutral by 2050. But now it seems that the party’s patience is wearing thin. In an interview with Berlingske, Messerschmidt stated that he wants to put an end to what he calls “climate fanaticism.” He demands that any future CO2 tax must not result in job losses or higher food prices. If these conditions are not met, DF will withdraw from further participation in the climate law agreement. Messerschmidt also criticizes the other parties in the Folketing (Danish Parliament) for their handling of climate policy, which he believes impacts the everyday lives of Danes and ruins the landscape with large solar panel installations. He acknowledges that it will be difficult to introduce a CO2 tax that meets all his demands, but emphasizes that it is necessary to protect Danish competitiveness and social balance. The other parties behind the climate agreement, including the Social Democrats, Venstre (Liberal Party), Radikale (Social Liberal Party), SF (Socialist People’s Party), Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance), Konservative (Conservative Party), and Alternativet (The Alternative), have the opportunity to form a majority without DF’s support. However, Messerschmidt is urging other conservative parties to reconsider their support for climate policy, which he believes is harmful and ineffective. The Moderates were initially against a CO2 tax but have since changed their stance and now support the idea, while Liberal Alliance accepts a CO2 tax on agriculture. The Denmark Democrats have consistently opposed the agreement.

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