A new report, “Power Investigation 2.0,” has revealed potential vulnerabilities in Danish democracy, particularly concerning the reliance on traditions and norms rather than explicit laws. These concerns have been amplified by recent allegations that Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Moderates offered money to members of parliament Mike Fonseca and Jon Stephensen to relinquish their mandates.

Experts suggest that while offering money to MPs to leave their positions may not be illegal, it violates established norms and could erode public trust in politicians. This situation highlights a potential “hole” in the democratic system, where wealthy individuals or groups could potentially influence political outcomes by buying seats in Parliament.

Michael Bang Petersen, head of the research project behind the report, emphasized that such actions go against the public’s understanding of how democracy should function. He raised concerns about politicians potentially being swayed by financial incentives, especially if they face financial difficulties. The incident has sparked debate about whether legislation is needed to prevent such offers in the future.

Christoph Ellersgaard, a lecturer at CBS, echoed these concerns, drawing parallels to the United States where a disregard for norms has led to political instability. He argued that Denmark risks similar problems if its leaders disregard democratic traditions, potentially allowing for the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the system. Ellersgaard believes legislation is necessary to codify existing norms into law, before any serious misuse occurs.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen has addressed the Mike Fonseca offer, saying it was about “limiting the damage” for Fonseca himself. However, he has not commented on the alleged offer of one million kroner to Jon Stephensen.

Lene Holm Pedersen, another professor involved in the “Power Investigation 2.0” project, urged caution against overreacting and legislating based on exceptional cases. While acknowledging the strangeness of the situation, she suggests a more measured approach is needed. She also noted that some voters may feel poorly represented by independent politicians who do not actively participate in legislative work.