Socialdemokratiets (Social Democrats) green EU promises during the election campaign are being criticized by SF, which accuses the party of not following up on the promises in Denmark. SF believes that the Social Democrats are using the EU as an excuse for the lack of national green initiatives. This became evident when six parties around the government demanded that ten percent of Denmark’s nature should be strictly protected, a plan that Mette Frederiksen, according to SF, rejected with the argument that it is easier said than done. Christel Schaldemose, the Social Democrats’ lead candidate, has proposed a major restructuring of agricultural subsidies to promote climate initiatives. However, SF points out that the government has previously voted to remove the requirement for four percent of agricultural land to be fallow. Signe Munk, the political spokesperson for SF, expresses that Schaldemose should persuade her own government to take these green ambitions seriously. Furthermore, SF highlights the Social Democrats’ desire to ban PFAS in the EU, but criticizes that the national action plan only bans some PFAS products. SF believes that the government will not even ban PFAS in baby strollers, but instead leaves it to the EU to make the decision.
Lea Wermelin, the climate spokesperson for the Social Democrats, denies the criticism and calls it a “diversion” from SF, which according to her cannot clearly answer whether they will support a distribution mechanism in the EU that could mean more refugees to Denmark. She emphasizes that Denmark is at the forefront of the fight against PFAS and is working towards an EU ban, but points out that certain bans require global action. Wermelin also highlights that the requirement of ten percent strictly protected nature is a regional goal, not a requirement for Denmark as a single country. Denmark is working on a green three-party agreement, which will provide concrete recommendations for an upcoming biodiversity and environment law, contributing to the EU goal. Thus, the debate continues on whether the Social Democrats’ green promises in the EU election campaign will also be realized within Denmark’s borders.