Is it fear of DF's comeback, not its victim role, that worries Christiansborg?

Louie Skougaard of Conservative Youth argues that the Danish People's Party (DF) has wrongly cast itself as a victim, viewing media and elites as enemies whenever criticized. He suggests this is a convenient analysis but perhaps overlooks issues within his own party, the Conservatives.

A shift in Danish politics is evident as DF experiences a resurgence, attracting a segment of voters who previously supported conservative parties. This trend prompts introspection within the Conservative Party, particularly regarding its own ideological positioning. While the Conservatives increasingly focus on business, tax cuts, and green transition, DF remains steadfast on core issues for many conservative voters: nation, family, culture, borders, and social cohesion.

This divergence may explain the eagerness of some within the broader conservative camp to criticize DF. Skougaard acknowledges that DF can face prejudice and that media criticism is sometimes warranted. However, he notes that when DF voices its own criticisms, they are sometimes framed as "anti-conservative."

The DF Youth leader, Mads-Magnus Damm, counters this, stating DF does not seek a victim role but rather a political and journalistic debate where all parties are held to the same standards. He suggests that the nervousness among some politicians stems from DF no longer being easily dismissed. Voters seeking a conservatism that emphasizes values, national identity, and tradition now have an alternative.

Damm turns the question back to Skougaard: Is the concern truly DF's "victim role," or is it the growing realization among conservative voters that the conservatism they desire is more readily found within DF than the current Conservative Party? The piece concludes by suggesting that the real anxiety on Christiansborg (the Danish Parliament) might not be DF's perceived victimhood, but rather the fear of its comeback.