COPENHEGEN: The nationalist Danish People’s Party (DF) is yet to reach agreement with the government on either area, as the parts aim to reach separate deals that can be voted through parliament before Christmas.
Last week, a new budget was agreed between the parties, ostensibly on the understanding that deals would be reached on the other two areas before Christmas.
Coalition partner Liberal Alliance has since cast the budget into doubt by suggesting that it may not vote for it if major tax reductions are not granted. Meanwhile, DF is insisting on fundamental changes to immigration laws, with a shift towards the premise that all refugees are to be returned to their home country as soon as possible, making integration unnecessary.
The IGU was introduced last year by the ministry of immigration as part of the government’s target to see half of all refugees and those given residence under family reunification in employment.
Under the scheme, a new so-called ‘basic integration education programme’ (integrationsgrunduddannelse, IGU), was introduced, putting refugees in short term jobs at an apprentice salary level of between 50 to 120 kroner ($7-$17) per hour.
Earlier this year, the Confederation of Danish Employers said the arrangement was helping increasing numbers of refugees to find work, and immigration minister Inger Støjberg said in written comments to DR earlier this week that the scheme was working. It is unusual in Denmark for a budget not to be passed by Christmas.
DF finance spokesperson René Christensen told news agency Ritzau that there was a race against the clock for the three deals to be passed into law by Christmas.
“We are unfortunately battling mostly against the clock, because we must be finished by December 22nd. More than we actually are battling against each other,” Christensen said.
Danish law requires parliament to vote three times on new laws for them to be passed. December 22nd would be the latest possible date for the third vote.
