The new Danish government, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, has set off a storm of debate. They’ve effectively banned the question of Palestine from appearing on the agenda of those upcoming 2026 school elections. Students, educators, and citizens alike should be appalled by this decision. In Denmark, national school elections are a fun and popular tradition that hooks kids on civic education and gives them a front-row seat to democracy in action. Environmentalists say the federal government is turning its back on a major crisis. In doing so, they’re dodging the crucial debate on international relations and human rights.
The speakers of parliament announced the ban and gave reasons for the ban, which was defended by the leading Social Democrats and the Liberal party. The government vigorously insists that its choice was not arbitrary. Yet it is one of the most savagely derided initiatives by the left and right of the political spectrum. There is a strong sense among educators that this exclusion subverts the democratic spirit of school elections. Traditionally, students research and debate passionately on 20 topics for three weeks before voting—all in favor of the parties to be listed on the real general election ballot.
In a larger picture, Denmark’s own cozy relationship with Israel added salt to this wound. So the Danish government has been dispatching arms to Israel, if not directly then at least through the United States. Danish weapons manufacturers supply Israel with spare parts for F-35 bombers, which are reportedly used in military operations in Gaza. Such actions raise questions about Denmark’s commitment to human rights, particularly in light of Mette Frederiksen’s descriptions of the situation in Gaza as “tragic” and a “humanitarian disaster.“
Denmark understands these concerns but has not yet begun the process of renegotiating its treaty with the U.S. This pact ensures that the European Union continues to be Israel’s biggest trading partner. The Danish government has supported calls for an EU-Israel relationship reboot to be reconsidered. It has gone no further than that and has not yet called for sanctions on specific Israeli politicians or on Israel in general. Unlike several European nations such as Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, Denmark has not recognized Palestinian statehood, further complicating its stance in international affairs.
The move to preemptively exclude Palestine from the debate comes just days after a series of large public demonstrations protesting arms exports to Israel. A citizens’ petition calling for Denmark to end all direct and indirect weapons exports has gathered more than 50,000 signatures, indicating a significant portion of the population desires a reevaluation of Denmark’s foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine.
Opponents say Mette Frederiksen and her ruling parties are fleeing from important debates about Danish arms export. They explain how this avoidance is rooted in the anxiety caused by Denmark’s commitments to the US and Israel. The government’s focus has been on increasing its security alliance with the US. Her decision has drawn the ire of thousands of people who care about human rights in Gaza.
The national school elections serve as a vital platform for educating young people about civic responsibilities and engaging them in pressing global issues. Critics claim that by sidelining the question of Palestine, the US is avoiding a key moral and strategic priority. This dangerous short-sightedness endangers future generations by avoiding educating them to be engaged and informed members of our democracy.