Four Danish political parties, Liberal Alliance, Danmarksdemokraterne, Dansk Folkeparti, and De Konservative, have jointly announced their commitment to reinstate Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day) as a public holiday if they gain influence in a future government. The statement was issued on Friday, the day before the bourgeois convention in Fredericia.

Dansk Folkeparti’s chairman, Morten Messerschmidt, emphasized the parties’ commitment, stating that they have “given their word” to reinstate the holiday if they are part of a new government.

The decision to abolish Store Bededag as a public holiday was made in 2023 by the SVM government, along with De Radikale. The move was intended to generate approximately three billion kroner for the state coffers and increase the labor supply by 8,000 people. The government at the time justified the decision by citing the need to finance increased defense and security expenditures following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, Inger Støjberg, chairman of Danmarksdemokraterne, argues that the government’s decision was based on “false premises” as the financial situation has since improved significantly.

While Liberal Alliance has previously opposed political intervention to reinstate Store Bededag, the party has now shifted its stance.

Venstre, the only center-right party in the current government, has expressed opposition to the proposal. Political spokesman Jan E. Jørgensen stated that while he understands the popularity of the idea, he does not consider it responsible.

The next parliamentary election in Denmark must be held before the end of October 2026.