For decades, Denmark was seen as the liberal conscience of Northern Europe – the land of hygge , Lego and a generous welfare state. Today, it is also the country with one of Europe’s harshest migration regimes, crafted not by conservatives but by the Social Democrats.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen ’s government has proved that a centre-left party can be ruthlessly restrictive on immigration – and politically rewarded for it. Yet the question troubling even Danes is whether this has made their country crueller.
Denmark’s “zero” approach to asylum has become a model admired by leaders far to its right. New Feature
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Refugees are offered only temporary residence permits, often reviewed every year. Families are split by limits on re