Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen defended her stance on migration during a tense interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel, pushing back against suggestions that her rhetoric is politically motivated. The interview covered a range of topics, including Greenland, Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, and rearmament.

The exchange became heated when journalists questioned Frederiksen about her views on migration and mass immigration, asking if her negative rhetoric was aimed at gaining approval from figures like US Vice President J.D. Vance. Frederiksen vehemently denied the accusation, stating that she has held the same views on migration for a decade and linking it to concerns about public safety and crime.

Frederiksen asserted that mass migration has negatively impacted daily life in both Germany and Denmark, citing concerns about crime. However, this statement contrasts with data from Statistics Denmark’s 2023 report, which indicates an overall decrease in crime rates in recent years.

The interview also touched upon an open letter co-authored by Frederiksen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticizing the European Court of Human Rights. When questioned about the implications of social democrats and “post-fascists” jointly questioning a pillar of the European order, Frederiksen defended the right of nations to protect themselves from those seeking to destroy their societies.

Regarding the United States, Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to transatlantic relations and NATO, even in light of Donald Trump’s past interest in buying Greenland. She emphasized that Greenland’s future is a matter to be decided solely by the Greenlandic population and government in Nuuk.