Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's New Year's Address on the 1st of January 2025

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Good evening.

How should one start a New Year’s address in such an uncertain world?

Will the big things seem too big and the small things too small? 

Or is it exactly in the small things that we find the big and important things? 

When the world is ablaze, we pull together in Denmark. And find our way. This time, at the forefront. Because we know that much is at stake. That we cannot take peace and freedom for granted.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Denmark. 

Europe is now facing its greatest challenges since those five dreadful years. 

And when Europe is under pressure, so, too, is Denmark.

* * *

It can be hard to see with the naked eye. For the most part, things are going well in Denmark. 

Unemployment is low. Employment high. And this spring, we gave the biggest boost to municipalities and regions in 15 years, adding more money once again to everyday welfare.

The healthcare reform will bring more doctors in the areas of Denmark where they are most needed. 

And with the green tripartite agreement, we have promised ourselves, our children and our grandchildren that we will no longer allow so much pollution in the fjords. And that agriculture must take up less space on the land that will continue to feed us in the future. 

We are moving forward. And perhaps we are “almost happy”, as the Danish band TV2 sings.

And yet: Not all problems have been solved. 

* * *

Inflation is low. And with the latest collective agreements, tax cuts, and the agreed wage increase, many Danes will have more money in their hands. 

But have you wondered what has happened at the supermarket?

Butter can cost more than 30 kroner when it is not on sale.

The packages of liver pâté and cheese have shrunk. But the prices have not.

And half a kilo of beef. Well, that package now weighs 400 grams.

It can be difficult to make ends meet. Not least for some of our pensioners.

Therefore, I am pleased that the state pension is now increasing. Single individuals on the state pension will receive up to 7,000 kroner more this year. And if you also receive the “senior citizens’ check”, you will see a total increase of nearly 13,000 kroner.

* * *

Yes, we are moving forward in Denmark.

But we are doing so in a much more turbulent – and dangerous – world. 

A world where Europe risks falling behind.

They say that the United States innovates. China copies. And the EU regulates.

We must change that. 

We must keep jobs in Europe. This will require significantly more investment. Both public and private.

In energy, technology, defence, green transition and climate.

The needs are so great that we must explore every option in our toolbox.

State support is necessary.

We must rethink the European economy. 

This also goes for Denmark. 

We haven’t implemented reforms, adhered to budgets and decided to gradually increase the retirement age – some would even say too much – so that we can stand by silently and watch other continents seize tomorrow’s growth and prosperity.

We will always pursue a responsible economic policy. But responsibility is not only about the bottom line. 

Development must be socially just. Even when the threat level is high. And we must ask ourselves: 

Do we want to gain or lose jobs?

Do we want to develop our own industries and technologies or be dependent on others?

And, ultimately: Will we stand up for the freedom and world order that has created the framework for our good and secure lives?

* * *

Moscow.

Pyongyang.

And Teheran.

Three capitals in three countries that are working closer and closer together. Against us.

More and more evident. But most clearly in Ukraine. 

The Ukrainians are defending themselves bravely. They are doing more than many thought possible. 

Against Russia, of course. But also, against soldiers from North Korea and drones from Iran. Here on European soil.

And China is standing behind the scenes. Without Chinese support, Russia would not be able to attack Europe the way they are doing. 

That is clear. The war has never been about Ukraine alone.

Putin has not sacrificed hundreds of thousands of Russian lives only to take the eastern part of Ukraine. 

And North Korea and Iran have not backed the war just to see Russia take a small bite of its neighbouring country. 

The world is changed. 

Unfortunately, I do not think that we can return to the way things were. And although I want peace above everything else, we must stand firm in the fight for our freedom. 

Fortunately, we are doing just that here in Denmark.

Just think about it. We are one of the populations in the world most unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom. 

We can rightly be proud of that.

Democracies cannot win by giving in. And certainly not by giving up.

We must not be naïve. Even if Putin signs a peace agreement with Ukraine, we must not believe he will stop there. That he will be satisfied. 

Because Putin does not want peace. 

He wants a Europe on Russian terms.

* * *

Europe is the story of a continent that has previously put war behind and created the world’s best countries to live in. 

But our history is also bloody. 

The most difficult thing for us  humans is probably to understand the present time.

Everything seems easier when we look back at the past and perhaps even when we look into the future.

We are at a crucial moment. 

If we give in, we will lose. History has taught us that. 

Europe and the United States have a fundamental common interest in defending the world order that has ensured peace and prosperity. 

I am pleased that in the North Atlantic, we have strengthened our cooperation between the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Denmark in recent years.

And, not least, that both the EU and NATO are stronger now than before. 

But Europe must be able to do even more by itself. 

On this, I completely agree with the many recent American presidents. Also Trump.

Therefore, we are rearming our defense. To prevent war. To ensure peace. 

We are expanding compulsory military service. Allocating billions to procure air defence, combat vehicles and drones. Strengthening our emergency response structures.. 

It is expensive.

And it will become even more expensive. 

We must prepare for scenarios we could not have imagined just a few years ago.

Damages to cables and critical infrastructure. Cyber-attacks and sabotage. 

The threats come in many forms. But no matter what comes our way, we must have the will to defend ourselves. The will to win.

The coming years will bring difficult decisions and priorities. 

It can’t be any different.

* * *

Starting my New Year’s address by outlining all of these challenges is not an attempt to conjure up fear. 

On the contrary.

We must be realistic. 

But never discouraged.

We have faced great challenges before. And overcome them. 

We can do so again.

When the world seems gloomy. And worries loom at every turn. This is when we need all of that which makes Denmark so special. Our Danish values.

We probably all have our own version of what that means. But many of us are shaped by the same things. So what is the common denominator?

It is, certainly, our trust. 

Most of us trust each other. We trust the authorities and the media. Many front doors remain unlocked, and we stand by our word.

It is our countless volunteer associations. Denmark’s strongest community. 

There is a truth to the saying: When two Danes meet, we drink a beer. And when three Danes meet, we start up a volunteer association.

We meet across generations and backgrounds. Play sports. Work together on all sorts of projects. Break the chains of loneliness and build friendships for life. 

Cooperation and the flat hierarchy are also something uniquely Danish. 

We are good at working together. This makes everything easier and society richer. 

Communities can also be complicated. For example, when political parties across the centre suddenly join together to form a government. 

But in a troubled world, perhaps that is not such a foolish idea after all?

* * *

Our dry and understated humour is also a characteristic Danish value. 

Think about the times when we can laugh at ourselves instead of getting angry or offended. When we are not self-important, but can shrug off everyday conflicts and our neighbour’s annoying habits. 

Last year, we lost two of those who made us all laugh:

Ulf Pilgaard, who brought social satire to a terrific level. And Erik Clausen, who challenged us with the jester’s insolence.

Many people probably remember him from the Danish film “Midt om Natten”.

One of the songs from the film has been widely sung at confirmations over the years. I think you know it.

“If somebody says that it’s all going to hell, don’t believe them. It’s always been like that, and it will probably stay that way. Don’t you think?” 

That song about the character Susan Himmelblå resonates to this day.

I know that we can handle the challenges of tomorrow as well. 

It will demand a lot of us. 

But we stand firm in our values. And thus, our foundation is strong.

Trust. Communities rooted in commitment. Humour and cooperation. And a few more: determination and, of course, our welfare society. 

We are not the kind of people who sit back and wait. 

We take action.

The blacksmith on the factory floor who discovers a defect in the machinery. And finds the solution that no one has thought of before.

The citizens of the small town who join together to save the local grocery store. Buying shares in the store and applying for foundation grants to keep the store in business.

Determination makes us strong.

As Mads Petersen put it when he won the road cycling world championship a few years ago: “On a route like yesterday, it appears that training in crappy weather has paid off.”

And he’s right. The sun doesn’t always shine. Not in the skies, and not in our lives. 

Therefore, we need a strong welfare society. With free and equal access. 

* * *

Welfare has faced challenges in recent years. First, COVID. Then war and inflation. 

We have a lot to fix. And we are working on it. 

Nurses are returning, and waiting times for hospital care are decreasing for many. 

Those of you who dream of becoming parents now have the right to more help. 

Our youngest children have more adults around them in day nurseries and kindergartens.

We are going to create a brand new upper secondary education. 

And our elderly citizens can look forward to more time dedicated to personal attention in elderly care. 

In the new year, we will continue to strengthen welfare. And do more for some of you who are having the hardest time.

All children should have a good childhood. I would like to once again speak in support of children spending less time looking at screens – and more time playing and spending time with their friends or us adults.

The waiting times for  psychiatric hospital care must be brought down.

More dignity for the most vulnerable in our society.

And those of you who are on sick leave from work. You must be treated with decency and respect. Therefore, we are changing the employment system and closing the job centres. 

We are going to crack down harder and more consistently on crime that endangers people. Aggravated violence. Unprovoked assaults. For the sake of the victims – and to maintain the fabric of society. 

Clearly, if you are convicted of a serious crime – such as gang or drug-related crime – you should not have the same rights as others. Therefore, we believe that early retirement pension should be taken away from you. 

It is a matter of rights and duties.

* * *

We are in a new era.

Unfortunately, I believe that the coming years will bring more threats to our country and way of life.

Rearming to avoid war is, in my view, inevitable. But let us do it in the Danish way. Socially just and with our values intact. 

If we can do that, then it won’t all go to hell. 

Happy New Year!