The record-long closing debate in the Danish Parliament has sparked attention and criticism, especially from Pia Kjærsgaard of the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), who has called the duration of the debate “undignified”. The debate, which lasted 17 hours and 41 minutes from 9:00 am on Wednesday morning until 2:41 am on Thursday morning, has prompted the Speaker of the Parliament, Søren Gade, to comment on possible changes to the format of the debate.
Søren Gade expressed his willingness to discuss whether the current format of the debate is appropriate, but emphasized that he cannot make any changes during the debate itself. He pointed out that the format used is the same as when Pia Kjærsgaard herself was the Speaker of the Parliament from 2015 to 2019. In her speech late Thursday night, Pia Kjærsgaard criticized that the debate is not dignified, especially considering the current societal debate on stress and illness. She suggested dividing the debate over two days, but this proposal has been previously rejected, among other reasons, because it could leave smaller parties alone on the second day.
Søren Gade mentioned that the lengthy closing debate is also due to the high number of parties and independents in the Parliament, as well as the four North Atlantic mandates, all of which have the right to speak. As alternatives to the current format, he suggested starting an hour earlier or reducing the lunch break. Although he is not immediately in favor of changing the format of the debate, Gade emphasized the value of the closing debate providing a unique opportunity for members to ask questions to the Prime Minister and the leaders of the three government parties, and conversely, for the government to ask questions to the leaders of the opposition.
It is important to note that the closing debate does not mark the end of the parliamentary season, and there will continue to be meetings in the Parliament in the month of June.