A parliamentary vote in Denmark sparked debate over whether public holidays should be scrapped to free funds for national defense. Reports indicate the vote tally stood at 95 in favor and 68 against the proposal to end the Day of Great Prayer, a holiday that has been observed since the 17th century. A government spokesperson argued that eliminating the celebration could free up about three billion Danish crowns, roughly 427 million dollars, to strengthen the military budget.
Earlier in the month, approximately 50,000 people gathered outside the Danish parliament in Copenhagen to protest the plan. Even with public opposition, the coalition government maintained that additional resources were necessary to reach NATO’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defense by 2030, a goal that had shifted from 2033 in light of competing priorities.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented in January that adding an extra workday was not seen as a problem, framing the issue as a tradeoff between social rituals and national security needs.
Earlier reporting noted ongoing recruitment challenges within the Danish armed forces. About one-fifth of military vacancies remained unfilled, with the shortage most acute at the base level where an additional 25% of personnel were needed before reaching full staffing.
A representative from the Privates and Corps Union, Tom Block, explained that, beyond a hesitancy to extend service, compensation and pay terms contributed to the difficulty in attracting and retaining personnel. The discussion underscored broader questions about how Denmark prioritizes defense funding, civil holidays, and the conditions that influence military careers.