Four Danish opposition parties – Liberal Alliance, Danmarksdemokraterne, Dansk Folkeparti, and the Conservatives – have jointly announced their commitment to reinstate Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day) as a public holiday if they gain governmental influence after the next parliamentary election.

The announcement comes on the eve of the bourgeois convention in Fredericia and signals a united front against the current government’s decision to abolish the holiday in 2023. The parties argue that the government’s initial justification for abolishing the holiday, citing the need to finance increased defense spending due to the war in Ukraine, is no longer valid due to the improved economic outlook.

Dansk Folkeparti chairman Morten Messerschmidt confirmed the agreement, stating that the four parties have reached a consensus on the issue. Similarly, Danmarksdemokraterne chairman Inger Støjberg criticized the government for acting on “false premises,” pointing to the current strong economic performance.

While Liberal Alliance had previously opposed reinstating the holiday through political means, they have now shifted their stance. However, Venstre, the only center-right party in the current coalition government, has rejected the proposal. Political spokesman Jan E. Jørgensen (V) stated that reinstating the holiday would be “irresponsible,” despite acknowledging its popularity.

In addition to reinstating Store Bededag, the four parties have also presented joint proposals to abolish the ban on nuclear power and the Quran law, which prohibits the burning of religious texts. The next Danish parliamentary election is scheduled to take place before the end of October 2026.