Danish Ministers Spark Controversy with Call for 'Value-Based Assimilation'

Two Danish Venstre ministers have ignited a heated debate by advocating for a "value-based assimilation" of foreigners into Danish society. Morten Dahlin, Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, and Marie Bjerre, Minister for Equal Opportunities, argue that this assimilation goes beyond mere integration and requires foreigners to fully adopt Danish values.

Why this matters: The call for value-based assimilation raises important questions about the balance between cultural diversity and social cohesion in Denmark, with potential implications for immigration policies and social integration efforts across Europe. As the debate unfolds, it may also influence the way governments approach issues of national identity, multiculturalism, and religious freedom.

In an interview with Jyllands-Posten, Dahlin stated, "When it comes to values, it's not integration we expect as a society – it's actually an assimilation." Bjerre echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that foreigners must be "buying fully into the value package" in Denmark. The ministers clarify that they are not promoting full cultural assimilation but rather an assimilation based on shared values.

The call for value-based assimilation comes in response to recent debates sparked by statements from Social Democrat spokesperson Frederik Vad, who highlighted cases of immigrants who appear well-integrated on the surface but secretly oppose Danish values. Dahlin and Bjerre cite examples such as Islamic marriage contracts and gender-segregated swimming as practices that cross the line of acceptable values in Denmark.

The ministers also condemn statements from musician Isam B, who has advocated for a greater presence of Islam and Ramadan in public spaces. They attribute their new rhetorical stance on immigration partly to the increase in anti-Semitic incidents since October 7, as reported by the Jewish Society in Denmark.

To address the issue, Bjerre mentions a planned legislative move against Islamic marriage contracts, while Dahlin reveals that the government is exploring the possibility of introducing democratic dialogue sessions as a prerequisite for granting citizenship. The exact scope and definition of successful value-based assimilation remain unclear, as the ministers did not provide specific numbers or criteria.

The controversial statements from Dahlin and Bjerre have reignited the ongoing debate about values and attitudes among foreigners and Danes with foreign backgrounds. As the government considers measures to promote value-based assimilation, the discussion surrounding the integration and expectations of immigrants in Danish society continues to evolve.

Key Takeaways

• Danish ministers advocate for "value-based assimilation" of foreigners into Danish society.
• Assimilation requires adopting Danish values, going beyond mere integration.
• Ministers cite examples of unacceptable values, such as Islamic marriage contracts and gender-segregated swimming.
• Government plans to introduce measures, including legislation and democratic dialogue sessions, to promote value-based assimilation.
• The debate raises questions about cultural diversity, social cohesion, and national identity in Denmark and beyond.