Government criticism | At the taxpayers' expense: Ministries and positions distributed for political gain, and this is the new commissioner's salary

The Danish government, headed by Mette Frederiksen, underwent a significant cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with the appointment of 25 ministers – the highest number in Danish history. This move comes as part of a reorganization of the government within the current three-party coalition.

Read also | Record number of ministries in Denmark: Major cabinet reshuffle and details of the new ministerial changes

تحت عنوان “الحكومة تسجل رقمًا قياسيًا غير مسبوق: سيتحمل دافعو الضرائب تكاليف ذلك'”، تناولت صحيفة BT الدنماركية انتقادات موجهة للحكومة بعد الإعلان عن التعديلات الوزارية الجديدة. ويُشير العنوان إلى قلق واسع من أن هذه التعديلات، التي أدت إلى زيادة عدد الوزراء إلى 25 وزيرًا، قد تؤدي إلى تكاليف إضافية على دافعي الضرائب. ويرى النقاد أن هذه الخطوة قد تكون موجهة لتلبية مصالح سياسية داخلية أكثر من كونها استجابة لاحتياجات حقيقية للدولة، مما يثير تساؤلات حول الأولويات الحقيقية للحكومة الحالية.

Dan Jorgensen takes an annual salary increase of 650,727 Danish kroner with him when he moves from Christiansborg (the Danish parliament) to Brussels as a commissioner to the European Union, according to TV2, citing TV2 Fyn. .

As a minister, Dan Jorgensen earned 116,682.75 Danish kroner per month, according to the government's website, and as a European Commissioner, the monthly salary would be 170,910 Danish kroner.

Commissioners are also entitled to a lifetime pension upon reaching the age of 66. If Dan Jorgensen chooses to retire up to six years early, he will receive 70% of the full pension.

Among the most notable changes announced was the creation of three new ministries: the Ministry of Green Cooperation, the Ministry of Community Security and Emergencies, and the Ministry of European Affairs. This move has drawn widespread criticism, with political commentator Joachim P. Olsen, writing in the newspaper BT, suggesting that the increase in the number of ministries appears to be an attempt to appease the interests of the parties in the governing coalition, rather than a response to any actual need for these new ministries.

Olsen pointed out that the Ministry for Green Cooperation, headed by Jeppe Brose, might be redundant, especially with two other ministries already dealing with the environment and climate. He added that this reshuffle might simply be a move to appease all parties in the coalition government.

The reshuffle also saw the appointment of Torsten Skau Pedersen as Minister for Community Security and Emergencies, a new ministry aimed at strengthening the country's preparedness for crises and emergencies. Marie Pierre was also appointed Minister for European Affairs, where she will be responsible for strengthening Denmark's relations within the European Union, as well as supporting Ukraine.

Among the surprises included in these changes was the appointment of Caroline Stage-Olsen as Minister for Digitalization. She was a special advisor to Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, which caused some frustration among some members of the Moderate Party's parliamentary group, who were excluded from ministerial portfolios in favor of a relatively new presence. Marie-Pierre was also transferred from the Ministry of Digitalization to the Ministry of European Affairs.

The recent cabinet reshuffle has raised questions about its effectiveness and whether it reflects the government's priorities in improving public service or is merely the result of internal political maneuvering between parties. With growing criticism of the increased costs to taxpayers, the question remains whether these changes will serve the interests of the Danish people or are simply an attempt to distribute positions among political allies.

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