Denmark

Copenhagen erupted over the weekend as a series of demonstrations against the tearing down of the Youth House turned violent. Similar to events in France in 2005, however, what the riots reflect is the accumulated anger of thousands of people, caused by a capitalist system completely incapable of providing a future for workers and youth.

A massive protest movement against cuts to municipal budgets shook Denmark in September and October. Although the movement has entered a lull this does not mean the end of the struggle. The ground is being prepared for another major explosion of the class struggle in Denmark

The Marxist tendency in the Danish labour movement, that publishes the journal Socialistisk Standpunkt, recently came under attack. An attempt was mounted to expel its supporters from the Socialist Youth Front (SUF), an attempt which failed. It reveals the growing influence of the Marxists in Denmark.

The Marxists successfully intervened in May Day, selling political material and celebrating the publication of The Revolution Betrayedin Danish as well as the new internet archive of Marxist classics in Danish, www.marxister.dk

The Danish government rest on the support of extreme right-wing parties. The government has promoted a series of anti-working class legislation, while hiding behind racist propaganda, including blatant anti-Islamic rhetoric. Denmark is not a fairy tale country but one where the mailed fist of capital is being used against the workers.

Danish and Iranian labour movement activists picket the Iranian Embassy in Denmark protesting against the repression of workers in Iran. This was part of the “The Workers of Iran Are Not Alone” campaign.

After some delay, we are publishing this report on Bush's visit to Denmark, which was met by massive protests. At 2 o’clock on Wednesday July 6, in the middle of the holiday, a large demonstration of about 20,000 people gathered in front of the American embassy.


On January 18, the Danish Prime Minister of the right-wing government, Anders Fogh, announced that parliamentary elections will be held on February 8. Although the established press is very confident that Fogh and his right-wing government will be re-elected, it is not at all ruled out that the Social Democrats may win by a small margin as a result of their demands for measures against unemployment. But if the problems of the Danish working class are to be solved, it is not enough simply to kick the right-wing government out of office.

In the last parliamentary election in 2001 the Danish People’s Party became the third largest party in the Danish parliament. We asked Marie Frederiksen from Socialistisk Standpunkt where the support for the far right comes from and what is the nature of this party.

The slaughterhouse-workers in Denmark are faced with wage-reductions in spite of the big profits of Danish Crown (the company)!

Fight against all the employers’ demands for wage reductions through the extension of the strike!

NNF (food and allied workers’ union) must support the strike and open up the strike funds! The LO (Danish TUC) must call for solidarity action if no concessions are given!

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The bosses proposed wage cuts, speed ups and longer hours in exchange for not closing the plant. The union leaders called off the strike action, but the workers have overwhelmingly voted to reject the deal with the bosses. Denmark cannot escape the growing mood of militancy spreading throughout the European labour movement.