Denmark scraps public holiday to boost defence budget

[Social Media]

Denmark's parliament has voted to abolish a springtime public holiday to boost spending on the military.

Lawmakers voted 95-68 to scrap Great Prayer Day, a religious holiday observed since the 17th century.

The cancellation will provide an additional three billion kroner (£355m; $427m) to be used on the defence budget, the government says.

But there has been opposition from opposition politicians, trade unions and religious figures.

At the start of the month, some 50,000 protesters gathered outside parliament in Copenhagen to protest the plan.

"Stop the thief," Karsten Honge, a member of the Socialist People's Party, said during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

 

"The government is ordering people to work one day more."

[thaibeachlovers]

That'll be popular, NOT.

 

Next election will be interesting.

 

Did a certain American president have a valid point when he criticized Europeans for not spending enough on their defense and relying too much on America?

[Tug]

Good move on their part obviously they see the threat Russia poses thankfully nato withstood the attempted destruction by Putin and his sympathizers 

[internationalism]

out of many holidays, including those related to state oppression, like constitution day, the government cancels a religious holiday which is part of easter, the greatest christian holiday.

That might don't bound well not only with christians, but the other religions, especially those standing for peace, including judaism,  from which "beat swords into plowshares" comes from.

Can be suspected, and hoped, that workers will organise boycott if this rule, which is encroaching on their labour rights. That bland act of militarism will backfire into danish state, as it shows, that they are diverting to war mode of production.

There were already street protests against

https://www.dw.com/en/denmark-abolishes-public-holiday-to-boost-defense-spending/a-64846302

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by internationalism

[ozimoron]

49 minutes ago, internationalism said:

out of many holidays, including those related to state oppression, like constitution day, the government cancels a religious holiday which is part of easter, the greatest christian holiday.

That might don't bound well not only with christians, but the other religions, especially those standing for peace, including judaism,  from which "beat swords into plowshares" comes from.

Can be suspected, and hoped, that workers will organise boycott if this rule, which is encroaching on their labour rights. That bland act of militarism will backfire into danish state, as it shows, that they are diverting to war mode of production.

There were already street protests against

https://www.dw.com/en/denmark-abolishes-public-holiday-to-boost-defense-spending/a-64846302

 

That's the big shame about democracy, isn't it? If the churches had their way it wouldn't have been cancelled for sure.

Edited March 1, 2023 by ozimoron

[placeholder]

55 minutes ago, internationalism said:

out of many holidays, including those related to state oppression, like constitution day, the government cancels a religious holiday which is part of easter, the greatest christian holiday.

That might don't bound well not only with christians, but the other religions, especially those standing for peace, including judaism,  from which "beat swords into plowshares" comes from.

Can be suspected, and hoped, that workers will organise boycott if this rule, which is encroaching on their labour rights. That bland act of militarism will backfire into danish state, as it shows, that they are diverting to war mode of production.

There were already street protests against

https://www.dw.com/en/denmark-abolishes-public-holiday-to-boost-defense-spending/a-64846302

 

This holiday is "part of Easter"? Really? I think most Christian theologians would challenge your contention. And even it it were true, you think it's a good thing that a government endorses a particular religious practice? Oh wait a minute...Of course you would think that given how closely and corruptly tied together are the Russian Government and the Russian Orthodox Church.

[internationalism]

cancelling a public holiday in name of militarisation has nothing to do with democracy.

Democracy stands for peace and social development, progress.

Militarisation stands for death and destruction, taking humanity backward.

Placard hold by protester on the photo sums it up - undemocratic pigsty. Protest was held outside the parliament and it was the largest for tens of years.

Opposition wanted referendum, that shows significance how opposition, as well as large part of population, treats this act of aggression on their rights. Some 477k signed petition against.

That holiday survived for 350 years, through all wars Denmark experienced, including 2 world wars. 

 

 

 

 

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

cancelling a public holiday in name of militarisation has nothing to do with democracy.

Democracy stands for peace and social development, progress.

Militarisation stands for death and destruction, taking humanity backward.

Placard hold by protester on the photo sums it up - undemocratic pigsty. Protest was held outside the parliament and it was the largest for tens of years.

Opposition wanted referendum, that shows significance how opposition, as well as large part of population, treats this act of aggression on their rights. Some 477k signed petition against.

That holiday survived for 350 years, through all wars Denmark experienced, including 2 world wars. 

Nothing is more democratic than a referendum:

Denmark votes to drop EU defence opt-out in 'historic' referendum

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the move, which was approved by 66.9% of voters, sent "a very important signal" amid the conflict in Ukraine.

"We're showing, that when Putin invades a free country and threatens the stability in Europe, we others pull together," Ms Frederiksen said.

"When freedom knocks on Europe's door and it's war again on our continent, you cannot be neutral. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61644663