Internal disagreements in the Social Democrats about energy policy ahead of the EU elections. Just before the EU elections, internal disagreements have arisen in the Social Democrats regarding the party’s energy policy. Member of the European Parliament Niels Fuglsang (S) has proposed that all homes should have at least an energy label E by 2035. But this is not a policy supported by the Social Democrats in the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) or in the European Parliament, according to Christian Rabjerg Madsen, the party’s political spokesperson.
“This proposal reflects the candidate’s own opinion and is not a proposal that enjoys support in the Social Democrats,” says Christian Rabjerg Madsen to Ritzau. Niels Fuglsang presented the proposal on DR Thursday morning, and a professor has estimated that it will affect 400,000 homeowners and cost an average of 300,000 Danish kroner to upgrade the homes. Christian Rabjerg Madsen emphasizes that the party does not want to impose a large expense on homeowners.
“When we make green transitions, which we are in the process of doing, we do it in a social and fair way,” he says. He adds that the Social Democrats have high climate ambitions, but that the green transition must be carried out in a way that includes everyone and maintains balance in Denmark.
When asked why Niels Fuglsang has come out with such a significant proposal on his own, Rabjerg Madsen explains that the social balances were not taken into account in Fuglsang’s proposal. He also emphasizes that there is generally agreement between the representatives of the Social Democrats in Brussels and in Denmark, but that this specific proposal is not part of the party’s official policy.
Rabjerg Madsen refuses to comment on whether Niels Fuglsang has been reprimanded for his solo initiative.
“What we discuss in the Social Democrats, we keep within the Social Democrats. But I would like to say very clearly that this proposal that Niels Fuglsang has come out with is not the Social Democrats’ policy. It stands on Niels Fuglsang’s own account,” he says.
The EU elections will take place in Denmark on Sunday, where Niels Fuglsang is number two on the Social Democrats’ list.