Danish politics has experienced a significant reshuffle as the Mayor of Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen (Social Democrats – Socialdemokratiet), steps into the government as the new Minister of Social Affairs and Housing. The outgoing social minister, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (Social Democrats – Socialdemokratiet), will focus on strengthening the Social Democrats’ presence in the capital as a candidate for Mayor.

This change is part of a broader government reshuffle, announced outside Amalienborg Palace, where Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Social Democrats – Socialdemokratiet) was asked if this move was an attempt to secure her party’s position ahead of upcoming elections. Frederiksen acknowledged that the Social Democrats face challenges in urban areas and highlighted the importance of maintaining existing mayoral positions.

“We know that we in the Social Democrats have to make a significant effort in the next municipal and regional council elections,” said Frederiksen. The municipal elections in November 2025 will be crucial, and here Rosenkrantz-Theil will aim to reclaim the votes that the party lost during the last municipal election in 2021.

Sophie Hæstorp Andersen managed to retain her honorary position despite the Social Democrats’ decline in 2021. However, she faced a low point in 2023 when her party, for the first time in recent history, was excluded from the annual budget that was negotiated by the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) with the center-right parties. This political situation posed significant challenges in regaining voter support.

Frederiksen highlighted Hæstorp Andersen’s social profile as the main reason for her new ministerial appointment. “I only appoint ministers whom I am sure are the best for the job. Sophie is a skilled politician and has been one of the strongest social profiles in the National Assembly (Folketinget),” stated the Prime Minister.

With Hæstorp Andersen in her new role as Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, the Social Democrats find themselves at a new crossroads, needing to balance both local and national challenges to ensure their future position.