Denmark’s new government, formed by the first left-wing coalition since the 1970s, on Friday proposed eliminating one of the national holidays to increase the defense budget in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The measure, which has been quickly criticized, has been promoted by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, the Social Democrat Mette Frederiksen, who won the elections held last November 1 and has pointed out that the decision benefits the country.
Thus, she has put on the table the possibility of eliminating the Store Begedag, the day of the Great Prayer or Day of General Prayer, a Danish holiday celebrated on the fourth Friday after Easter due to the danger posed by the global political and economic situation. The holiday was first introduced in 1686.
The government has explained that removing the holiday will increase economic activity and productivity and help achieve the goal of allocating 2 percent of the defense budget to NATO.
However, the measure has been criticized by numerous politicians, as well as by the Church and several companies, which claim that the holiday is linked to old traditions, according to reports in the daily Berlingske.
Frederiksen, for his part, has insisted that «there is a war in Europe and we have to strengthen our defenses. That requires everyone to contribute a little more,» he stressed.
