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The blue block shook Mette Frederiksen's head over the attack mark: 'Unworthy'

DR-Politics in Politics

Tuesday, November 05, 2024 • 7:59 PM UTC - in Politics

Politik ()

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*Mette Frederiksen scowls at Mona Juul: 'Not worthy'*

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According to Mona Juul (K), Mette Frederiksen (S) went too far - and she told her that after the debate.

Mette Frederiksen accused the blue bloc of preferring to attack the government rather than agreeing on a financial agreement. She also commented on Mona Juul's private economy. (Photo: © Mads Claus Rasmussen, Ritzau Scanpix)

By Tobias Leth Klinge ([email protected]) 53 min. ago

Mette Frederiksen was in a heated mood during today's question time in the Folketing Chamber.

Despite the usual heated exchanges between party leaders during question time, Mette Frederiksen's responses drew blank stares and silence from the parliamentarians present in the chamber.

Every time a party member questioned her, she retorted sharply.

On a question about disagreement within the government from Alex Vanopslagh (LA), Mette Frederiksen recalled Liberal Alliance's inability to reach an agreement on a financial agreement.

- It was completely stuck. We couldn't even agree on a financial agreement. We couldn't stand the distance.

She accused the blue bloc of preferring to attack the government instead of agreeing on a financial agreement and commented on Mona Juul's private economy.

And when it was Morten Messerschmidt's (DF) turn to question Mette Frederiksen, he used the opportunity to call her behavior "disgraceful" and "not worthy of a statesman."

- Did we just poke a raw nerve in the blue bloc? I think we did, replied Mette Frederiksen.

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'Minister in deep deficit'

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After DR interviews Mona Juul after the debate, the word "disgraceful" was used repeatedly.

- I think some things were said that were unnecessary. It was a bit harsh, to put it mildly, she said.

Mona Juul asked about the possibility of parents who care for their own sick children being entitled to bereavement leave if their children die, similar to parents who do not care for their own sick children. The proposal would cost 1.5 million kroner.

Mette Frederiksen did not reject the idea, but reminded Mona Juul that she could bring it up during the ongoing financial negotiations.

When Mona Juul tried a third time, Mette Frederiksen responded:

- Even though Mrs. Mona Juul seems to enjoy telling the story of how Mrs. Mona Juul is brand new to politics and not subject to the same rules and restrictions as we others are, and in addition, I assume Mrs. Mona Juul can leave politics with her wealth, Mrs. Mona Juul knows very well that it is in a financial law that we set the economic policy.

Mona Juul went over to Mette Frederiksen after the debate and said:

- I say, I think it's disgraceful, and I think she should keep that kind of thing to herself.

- I think she's a minister in deep deficit. I hope she gets a good night's sleep and can be a little more cheerful another day.

She would not say what Mette Frederiksen replied, but she did not express any regret.

Alex Vanopslagh (LA) raised his arms during one of Mette Frederiksen's answers during the debate.

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A bit too fresh

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The reminder of Liberal Alliance's past difficulties came up when Alex Vanopslagh (LA) asked Mette Frederiksen about her agreement with Lars Løkke's (V) comment in Berlingske () that the balloon is going down, as he has expressed about the government in Berlingske.

But the question was a bit too "fresh" for Mette Frederiksen's taste, as she expressed it.

She thinks Vanopslagh should put aside the ironic distance and entertainment value and focus on the world Denmark is in.

- Are we in a situation where we can use a question time to entertain ourselves?

- North Korea is on the brink of war in Europe. We know that Russia is ready to launch an attack on NATO countries within two to five years. We are in the most challenging security policy situation in living memory, she replied.

Vanopslagh tried again. The comment about LA's time in government came up:

Alex Vanopslagh welcomes a lively debate but is surprised that the statesman "hides herself so much over relevant questions," as he puts it.

- It shows an incredibly pressured statesman with a large deficit.

- The government is really challenged for the time being with internal strife. Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M) is giving solo interviews about how the balloon is about to burst. They can't agree on the pension issue and the possible introduction of a new war tax, just to name a few examples, he said.

He also plans to use the next question time to ask the government about its conflicting statements.

- No matter how much she hides herself, he said.

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One must expect to get it back

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During a doorstep interview after the debate, Mette Frederiksen was asked if she went too far during the debate when she used Mona Juul's private economy in a political argument.

- When you attack the government, you must expect to get something back. I saw an interview with Mona Juul over the weekend about how she sees herself as rich, which means she can be in politics without being afraid of leaving. I couldn't dream of saying anything about a colleague's economy unless they bring it up first. It's a privilege I've never had, for I didn't come into politics with a lot of money.

- But so we can't have a political debate with each other? We have to, even in a question time, said Mette Frederiksen.

Mette Frederiksen referred to an interview in Berlingske () where Mona Juul has said that she considers herself rich, which means she can be in politics without fear of leaving.

But Mona Juul does not understand the comment.

- What does she mean by that? What bothers the country's prime minister? she said.

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