Copenhagen University has chosen not to publicize whether disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on the students who disrupted a political event with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The university announces through their press service that they are still “following up on the particular event”.
On May 28, Lars Løkke Rasmussen was present at the university to give a presentation on the political situation in Europe as part of the campaign leading up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024. However, the presentation was interrupted by pro-Palestinian activists who shouted and caused unrest, resulting in the event being canceled.
Danish People’s Party’s (Dansk Folkeparti) domestic policy spokesman, Mikkel Bjørn, criticizes the university’s decision not to disclose whether disciplinary action will be taken against the students. He states that it is “a cheap way to avoid responsibility” and expresses concern that the leadership at Copenhagen University is afraid to confront the students. Bjørn believes that prospective students have the right to know whether their studies could be interrupted by demonstrations.
On social media, Copenhagen University has announced that they will consider any sanctions. Mikkel Bjørn expects that the university leadership will implement the necessary disciplinary measures against the students responsible for the disruption of the event. He adds that students should focus on their studies and not disturb others.
Education Minister Christina Egelund previously stated that she believes there should be consequences for such behavior. She thinks that no one should monopolize the debate at universities, and calls the interruption of Løkke’s presentation “completely unacceptable”. Egelund emphasizes that this type of behavior is not acceptable at universities.
Sascha Faxe, the political spokesman for the party Alternativet, has a different opinion and believes that Copenhagen University should handle the harmless manifestations themselves. She emphasizes that activism is important to keep democracy alive, as long as it is peaceful and not destructive.
The debate on whether sanctions should be imposed on the students involved continues, and it is still unclear what consequences may follow from the incident.