The government is currently considering the possibility of establishing a new ministry responsible for societal security in case of crises and disasters. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen (V) expressed in an interview with Berlingske that there are both advantages and disadvantages to such a decision, and that a final decision has not yet been made.
“We are currently analyzing whether we should have an overarching ministry. There are both weaknesses and disadvantages, and I am not decided on where we should end up,” said Troels Lund Poulsen to Berlingske. He emphasized that the need for a more holistic approach to societal resilience has become more relevant.
Berlingske refers to the potential new ministry as a ministry of societal security. Previously, TV 2 reported internal discussions in the SVM government about establishing an emergency preparedness ministry. Another possibility is outlined in the government’s platform, which states that the government wants to explore how to establish a new Ministry of National Security. This ministry would, among other things, have responsibilities for the police, the overall prosecution service, and the realm’s security, including PET.
So far, the government has been reluctant to provide information on progress in establishing the new ministry. It was the Moderates who ensured that the wording about a ministry of national security was included in the government’s platform. This was part of chairman Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s proposal to conclude the Mink affair after the demand for a legal investigation into Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s (S) responsibility was dropped.
Denmark’s emergency preparedness in times of crises and disasters has been in focus recently. Authorities recently presented a series of recommendations to citizens on how to survive for three days without electricity or water. Troels Lund Poulsen expects that a new emergency preparedness agreement will be reached “immediately after the summer holiday.”