Danish newspapers speculate on Social Democrat power struggle after ministerial swap

Danish newspapers are abuzz with speculation following a significant ministerial reshuffle within the new coalition government. The focus is on a reported swap between two prominent Social Democrat ministers: Peter Hummelgaard is said to be taking over as finance minister from Nicolai Wammen, who in turn will head the Ministry of Justice.

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Crown prince and rivals swap posts - a power struggle is brewing in the Social Democrats.

Jyllands-Posten's front page captures the intrigue, headlining the move as a "power struggle brewing in the Social Democrats" with the crown prince and rivals exchanging posts. Similar analyses fill the front pages of Børsen, Ekstra Bladet, Politiken, Berlingske, and Kristeligt Dagblad, suggesting a deeper political game at play.

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I find it hard to see that it should be a bad task to be justice minister in Denmark.

Commentators interpret Hummelgaard's appointment as finance minister as a clear signal of his advancement within the party, positioning him as the likely successor to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. However, the main figures involved are attempting to temper these interpretations. Both Hummelgaard and Wammen stated on Wednesday that the changes were part of a broader reassignment of tasks for all Social Democrat ministers from the previous government.

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It is one of the most important ministerial posts in terms of keeping Danes safe, both in terms of combating crime and terror. I have actually always wanted to be justice minister, but have not had the chance before.

Wammen, who has held the finance minister post since 2019, acknowledged that the move to justice minister might appear as a demotion on paper. Yet, he expressed enthusiasm for the new role, calling it "one of the most important ministerial posts in terms of keeping Danes safe, both in terms of combating crime and terror." He added that he had "always wanted to be justice minister but never had the chance before." Wammen deflected questions about future party leadership, stating, "We are not there at all. Try to listen, we have a chairman, and the day we no longer have one, we will find a new chairman."

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We are not there at all. Try to listen, we have a chairman, and the day we no longer have one, we will find a new chairman.