Internal tensions within the Danish SVM government have intensified over foreign labor policy, threatening the coalition’s stability. The Social Democrats, Venstre, and Moderaterne are struggling to reconcile differing views on easing access to foreign labor, a key point of contention as the next election approaches.

Recent public statements and actions by Social Democratic ministers have sparked criticism from coalition partners. Kaare Dybvad Bek and Mattias Tesfaye highlighted the challenges of integrating foreign workers and their families, while Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen accused businesses of failing to hire enough seniors before demanding more foreign labor. These moves have been perceived as undermining the government’s platform to ease access to foreign labor when unemployment is low.

The government is expected to soon propose a certification scheme to facilitate the import of labor from non-EU countries, but disagreements persist over the details and potential impact of the plan. While business organizations and bourgeois parties advocate for further easing of restrictions, the Social Democrats express concerns about the social and economic consequences of increased immigration.

The conflict highlights both long-standing differences and emerging divisions within the SVM government. While foreign labor has been a known point of contention since the government’s formation, new disagreements are arising over issues such as early retirement and nuclear power, adding further strain to the coalition.