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🇩🇰 Denmark /Elections & Politics

Danish politician quits SF party over controversial advisor rehiring

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • A long-time local politician for the Socialist People's Party (SF) in Aarhus, Jan Ravn Christensen, has resigned after 27 years with the party.
  • His departure follows the recent hiring of a controversial advisor, Thomas Nystrøm, who was previously dismissed from SF amid accusations of harassment.
  • The hiring has drawn significant criticism from within the party and from the public, including from individuals who have accused Nystrøm of misconduct.

Jan Ravn Christensen, a prominent local politician for the Socialist People's Party (SF) in Aarhus, has ended his 27-year membership, citing his inability to endorse the party's recent actions. His resignation, announced on Facebook, directly addresses the controversy surrounding the rehiring of advisor Thomas Nystrøm.

I can no longer see myself as a member and stand behind the actions that have been taken in recent days.

— Jan Ravn ChristensenIn a Facebook post announcing his resignation from the Socialist People's Party.

Nystrøm, who was dismissed from SF in 2020 following allegations of harassment and inappropriate behavior, was recently appointed as a special advisor to party chair Pia Olsen Dyhr. This decision has ignited widespread criticism, notably from Lotte Kofoed, an SF councilor in Frederiksberg, who publicly stated that Nystrøm had sexually harassed her. She recounted an incident at an SF national meeting in 2020 where Nystrøm allegedly put his hand down her trousers.

Thomas Nystrøm, at an SF national meeting in 2020, put his hand down her trousers.

— Lotte KofoedRecounting an alleged incident of sexual harassment by the advisor.

Thomas Nystrøm has since acknowledged on Facebook that his past conduct was "completely unacceptable." While he claims no memory of the specific incident with Kofoed, he stated he has "no reason to believe" it did not happen. The rehiring has also faced backlash from SF's Frederiksberg local chapter and its youth wing, both of which have called for the termination of Nystrøm's contract.

I have behaved completely unacceptably on several occasions.

— Thomas NystrømAcknowledging past misconduct in a Facebook post.

Party chair Pia Olsen Dyhr defended her decision at the Folkemødet festival, suggesting that individuals should be allowed to return to public life after apologizing and demonstrating changed behavior. She emphasized that Nystrøm is employed by her ministry, not the party itself. However, Kofoed confronted Dyhr at the festival, holding a sign that read "Never again in SF," highlighting the ongoing tension and division within the party over the matter.

I think it's something else six years later, when one has apologized and changed behavior, then one should be able to return.

— Pia Olsen DyhrDefending her decision to hire Thomas Nystrøm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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