Lars Løkke Rasmussen, leader of the Moderates, has indicated a possible return for Jon Stephensen to the party, despite Stephensen’s expulsion in 2023. Rasmussen stated that Stephensen’s future membership “remains to be seen” during the party’s summer group meeting on Thursday.

This marks a shift from Rasmussen’s earlier stance when he urged Stephensen to relinquish his parliamentary seat and leave politics entirely after inappropriate messages were sent to a younger woman from the youth party. At the time, Rasmussen told Stephensen that he had “no future in politics” with the Moderates.

Currently, Stephensen attends the Moderates’ group meetings, including the summer group meeting, where he is permitted to speak and engage in political discussions. However, he does not have voting rights within the party.

Group chairman Henrik Frandsen has confirmed that the existing agreement with Jon Stephensen, established before the summer break, remains unchanged. He refrained from commenting on whether Stephensen is on the path to rejoining the party.