Danmarksdemokraterne (Denmark Democrats / Æ)

EU RANK: 161 (Tier 4: Low Performance)

Danmarksdemokraterne is a right-wing populist party founded in 2022 by former Immigration Minister Inger Stjøberg, emphasising nationalist conservatism, stringent anti-immigration policy, skepticism of EU integration, and support for decentralisation and rural Denmark. The party rapidly achieved parliamentary representation with 8.08% of the vote and 14 seats in 2022, drawing support from disaffected voters of the Danish People’s Party and Venstre. Danmarksdemokraterne positions itself as a major player shaping conservative political alliances on immigration and national sovereignty.

Disinformation and alternative media

Danmarksdemokraterne relies on social media platforms and direct communication channels to mobilize support around immigration and sovereignty issues. The party frames immigration restrictionism and cultural preservation as core policy areas. Our research notes that party messaging has occasionally employed polarizing rhetoric on immigration and cultural integration that may border on inflammatory identity-based framing. While the party operates within mainstream media platforms, some digital communication has used emotionally charged language on immigration themes. The party does not control alternative media outlets or coordinate disinformation campaigns. Disinformation/alternative media risk is medium.

Foreign influence and external alignments

Danmarksdemokraterne is skeptical of EU integration and advocates for greater Danish national sovereignty, decentralization, and emphasis on rural interests. The party’s Eurosceptic foreign policy positions emphasize national interest over multilateral frameworks, though it does not advocate EU withdrawal or NATO exit. There is no evidence of financial or organizational ties to hostile foreign states. The party’s nationalist positioning aligns ideologically with broader right-wing populist movements in Europe, reflecting ideological affinity rather than direct foreign coordination. Foreign influence DMI risk is low to medium.

Media capture, advertising and public service media

Danmarksdemokraterne does not own major media assets. However, party founder Inger Stjøberg has been central to high-profile public debates on immigration policy and national identity, generating significant media attention. The party has not systematically advocated for reforms to media governance or public broadcaster control. The party’s media strategy relies primarily on amplifying messaging through existing outlets and social platforms. Media capture DMI risk is low to medium.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

Institutional integrity concerns center directly on party founder Inger Stjøberg’s serious criminal background. In 2016, as Immigration Minister, Stjøberg ordered the separation of 23 asylum-seeking couples without individual case reviews, implementing a blanket unlawful policy. Stjøberg was impeached for this action and on December 13, 2021, the Court of Impeachment sentenced her to 60 days in prison, resulting in her parliamentary removal. Despite this conviction, Stjøberg founded Danmarksdemokraterne in June 2022 and was re-elected to parliament in 2022. This raises fundamental questions about the party’s commitment to rule of law and institutional integrity. The party maintains standard financial reporting procedures. However, the party’s leadership centered on a convicted public official represents a serious institutional integrity liability. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is very high.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media

Danmarksdemokraterne has not engaged in systematic campaigns to delegitimise media institutions or journalists as a whole. However, party rhetoric on immigration has occasionally criticized media coverage as biased or insufficiently representative of populist perspectives. While there is no documented pattern of mobilizing systematic harassment against journalists, the party’s polarizing messaging on immigration may contribute to broader societal polarization affecting press freedom and journalist safety. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is low to medium.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	Medium	Right-wing populist party with polarising immigration messaging; no major disinformation campaigns but rhetoric potentially inflammatory.
Foreign influence & external alignments	Low–Medium	Eurosceptic; no foreign state ties, but positioning aligns with broader right-wing populist movements.
Media capture & advertising / PSB control	Low–Medium	No media assets; founder Stjøberg central to media attention; no systematic governance reform advocacy.
Corruption & institutional integrity risk	Very High	Party founder Inger Stjøberg convicted of unlawful asylum policy, sentenced to prison, removed from parliament before party founding.
Press freedom & harassment of media	Low–Medium	Occasional media criticism; no systematic harassment patterns, but polarizing rhetoric may affect journalist safety.