A new agreement has been reached to increase the annual salary for members of parliament from 948,000 to 1,080,000 kroner, a decision that has sparked both support and criticism.

The agreement, backed by a broad political majority, has drawn varied reactions. Political commentators Mogens Kristiansen and Peter Mogensen of TV 2 News magazine “Tuesday Analysis” expressed support for the raise, emphasizing the significant workload and public exposure associated with being a politician. They argue that adequate compensation is crucial for attracting qualified candidates who might otherwise pursue different career paths.

However, the Denmark Democrats, the Danish People’s Party, and the Red-Green Alliance have voiced strong opposition. Pelle Dragsted (E) labeled the agreement “grotesque,” while Morten Messerschmidt (DF) criticized the timing, citing the financial strain of high food prices on Danish citizens.

The approved agreement also includes changes to the pension system for politicians. While salaries for members of parliament and ministers will increase, the pension rate will decrease to 18 percent, and the civil servant pension will be eliminated. These changes will only affect newly elected politicians after the next parliamentary election; current members will remain under the existing pension scheme.

The reforms are projected to generate annual savings of 90 million kroner once fully implemented in 2090, representing a 20 percent reduction in current costs. The agreement has been supported by the government, SF, Liberal Alliance, The Conservative People’s Party, The Social Liberal Party, and The Alternative.