Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for a significant increase in armament, encompassing both military and spiritual dimensions, in response to the perceived threat from Russia. Frederiksen made these remarks in her Constitution Day speech at Rødding Højskole.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need for “spiritual armament” as a crucial defense against misinformation and the pervasive influence of social media. She advocated for a return to reading longer, more in-depth content, such as books and news from established media outlets, rather than relying solely on social media.

Frederiksen also urged citizens to seek intellectual challenges and strive for wisdom and societal development. She stressed the importance of cultivating the ability to read and comprehend complex texts.

Addressing the impact of screens and technology, Frederiksen acknowledged that the world has been too naive about their influence over the past decade. She argued that excessive screen time has significantly impacted citizens’ daily lives and diverted their attention.

The Prime Minister stated adults have been too uncritical of new technology, assuming it would simply improve communication. She advocated for strengthening the desire to read and reducing screen time, so that books become a natural part of the educational experience once again.