Bullying and sexism in a 5-page report: A new bombshell in Lars Løkke Rasmussen's party, and party employees file a complaint with the employment authority.

A number of current and former employees of the Moderate Party have submitted a five-page report to the Danish Work Environment Authority about poor working conditions, describing an environment of bullying and sexism within the party, according to the BT newspaper website, which reviewed the letter written by five current and one former party employee. TV2 also viewed excerpts from the report. The five-page report contains examples of explicit sexual remarks, according to TV2.

Images of Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen dominate the local press.

Experts commented that it is a big problem if the Danish Foreign Minister, founder and leader of the Moderate Party, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, does not know what is happening in his party, and it is also a big problem if he does know and ignores the matter without taking action.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen was not spared criticism during the past two days before the bombshell report exploded in the press yesterday evening and this morning. Lars Løkke Rasmussen was also accused of ignoring his party's parliamentary members by appointing most of his ministers from outside the parliamentary bloc – the latest being the appointment of his special advisor as Minister of Digitalization, whose name will be mentioned later in this article – thus making them feel too small to hold ministerial portfolios and that their ambition to rise in positions is very limited, unlike the rest of the parties.

A senior staff member, who was even given a leadership role in the party, has had numerous sexual relationships with party staff, including student aides, according to reports on BT and TV2.

The report implicates names from senior management.

The issue exploded after several people at the top of the administration were mentioned in connection with ignoring inquiries about the problems. Among those accused by staff or party members of ignoring the issues is newly appointed Digitalization Minister Caroline Stig-Olsen, who was appointed minister yesterday by her party leader and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. She was previously a political officer in the party and was recently appointed by Lars Løkke Rasmussen as his special advisor in his capacity as Foreign Minister and leader of the Moderate Party.

BT also wrote that party secretary Kirsten Munk and communications director Ulla Østergaard were named as senior management who ignored complaints from staff and members. Caroline Stig Olsen did not want to respond to BT's inquiry, but replied in writing: "But of course I am available to both the Danish Work Environment Authority and staff who want a dialogue," Kirsten Munk Andersen said in the reply. A written comment from the moderates to the media said the party was unaware of the report.

TV2 contacted several members of the Moderate parliamentary group on Saturday morning, who referred them to party secretary Kirsten Munk Andersen about the matter. Munk Andersen did not respond to TV2's inquiry. The party's press director, Christian Bendix, wrote in an email to TV2 on Saturday morning that he had nothing to add, writing in his reply: "We have not seen any complaints and therefore do not know their content.".

Continuing the series of sex scandals in the Moderate Party

This story comes after the Moderates were highlighted on several occasions in connection with allegations of inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Members of Parliament John Stevenson and Mike Fonseca left the Moderate Party relatively early in its establishment and assumption of parliamentary seats. Stevenson sent inappropriate messages to a young woman in the party, while 28-year-old Mike Fonseca had a romantic relationship with a 15-year-old girl, which violated the party's general rules and led to his expulsion from the party. He became an independent Member of Parliament, like John Stevenson.

“"This issue will destroy the party."”

According to BT, Moderate MP Jeppe Søe sent an email to several members of the Moderate Party's main council, writing that this issue, in his "best convictions and experience," would "completely destroy the party." The complaint directly named large parts of the administration, accusing most of them of directly committing irresponsible acts. "This alone, of which I have seen evidence, will destroy our party—and also our history as a busload of sexist clowns. That seems to be exactly what we are! And there is much more to it, it is said. What makes it even more complicated is someone's inaction on the matter, even within the parliamentary group." He also wrote that he had sent a letter to party leader Lars Løkke Rasmussen about the situation in the party. TV2 saw parts of the aforementioned letter, according to the TV2 website, and unsuccessfully attempted to contact Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Will the newly appointed minister resign?

In commenting on the crisis, political commentator Joachim P. Olsen suggested that the affair could significantly impact the new Digital Minister, Caroline Steig. According to TV2, Olsen believes the issue could severely damage Steig's credibility, potentially forcing her resignation. Caroline Steig, a former political leader of the Moderate Party, was recently appointed Digital Minister in the SVM government, and according to the newspaper BT, she was named in the report as one of the key figures involved in the affair. Olsen urged Steig to clarify her position, emphasizing that failing to do so could have negative repercussions.

Investigations and upcoming developments

Member of Parliament Karin Lilthorpe called for a thorough investigation into the problems, stating that she had been aware of numerous issues since the beginning of August and had taken immediate steps to address them. Lilthorpe expressed her sadness and anger at the situation, emphasizing the need for effective measures to tackle these problems.

Journalist Anne-Kathrin Ristrup of the newspaper BT commented that the party leadership is not only aware of the problems, but also responsible for creating them, adding that there are many cases which she described as “scandalous,” requiring urgent intervention to address the situation.