Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for a “spiritual rearmament” of Denmark, emphasizing the need to defend civic associations and democratic conversation against rising hatred, lies, and harassment, particularly online. This announcement was made at the People’s Meeting amid discussions about the nation’s strong yet threatened democracy, as highlighted by a recent power investigation.

Frederiksen also addressed the ongoing climate crisis, responding to activists’ concerns by acknowledging the “crisis of crises.” She underscored the importance of unity and responsibility in a divided world, praising Denmark’s ability to bridge political divides for the sake of the country and Europe. She reiterated her skepticism towards bloc politics and hinted at a willingness to form cross-spectrum alliances.

Furthermore, Frederiksen defended the necessity of increased defense spending, rejecting claims that the 3.5 percent of GDP target for NATO contributions was arbitrary. She emphasized that this figure is directly tied to strength targets and asserted that even this amount may be insufficient given Russia’s destructive actions, including sabotage, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns. Frederiksen’s remarks suggested that the current crises extend beyond military concerns and affect the fundamental values of Danish society.