The Danish Parliament is set to hold its first reading of the government’s proposed Finance Act for the upcoming year, sparking debate over spending priorities and the allocation of economic resources.

Finance Spokesman Benny Engelbrecht (S) highlighted the government’s initiatives, including electricity tax reductions, the elimination of taxes on coffee and chocolate, and subsidized daycare. He argued that these measures would provide financial relief to pensioners and families, helping them cope with rising food prices.

In response to Engelbrecht’s remarks, Finance Spokesman Dennis Flydtkjær (DD) criticized the government for utilizing the economic leeway to fund welfare improvements. He questioned why the government couldn’t find the funds to reinstate the Great Prayer Day, a public holiday abolished by the current administration.

Flydtkjær argued that if the government could afford to increase spending across various sectors, it should also prioritize restoring the public holiday, which he claimed could generate three billion kroner.

Engelbrecht acknowledged the significant increase in public spending, attributing it primarily to heightened expenditures on defense and security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He noted that the economic leeway, the state’s projected surplus, has increased by over 100 billion kroner since the 2022 parliamentary elections.

The debate also touched on the Bourgeois Convention, where four blue parties presented 50 proposals for a potential future government. One of these proposals included reinstating the Great Prayer Day. The abolishment of this holiday had previously drawn criticism from voters, contributing to a decline in support for the government in recent polls.