The Moderates (Moderaterne), a Danish political party, recently introduced a proposal aimed at easing requirements for homeless individuals and drug addicts. This initiative has garnered support from both the Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet) and the Liberal Party (Venstre). The parties aim to lessen the burden on more than a thousand vulnerable citizens in Denmark by reducing the public sector’s requirements imposed on them.

“The welfare state, which usually functions well for the majority, can often become a burden for the most disadvantaged due to laws and regulations. This needs to change,” stated Christian Rabjerg Madsen, the political spokesperson for the Social Democrats.

This proposal from the Moderates coincides with the government’s extensive dignity reform. Reports indicate that the governing parties have already discussed similar ideas during a meeting at Marienborg, the official residence of the Prime Minister, in January, where they addressed measures to assist socially vulnerable citizens. An initial budget of 100 million DKK (Danish Krone) has been allocated for this initiative, which the Moderates have included in the forthcoming budget proposal.

The Liberal Party believes that the welfare state currently operates more like a “system state” that fails to provide necessary assistance to those in need. “We see people living on the fringes of society who encounter a system that does not offer the support they require,” remarked Linea Søgaard-Lidell, social spokesperson for the Liberal Party.

Furthermore, there is a need to address the finger-pointing between municipalities and the healthcare system regarding responsibility distribution. The Moderates have drawn inspiration from international approaches, where vulnerable citizens are not at risk of being turned away at the “wrong door.” Instead, they should be able to seek help from a single source.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, leader of the Moderates, has proposed that the entire responsibility could be delegated to a social hub or an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization).