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🇩🇰 Denmark /Elections & Politics

OVERVIEW: The case of Pia Olsen Dyhr's advisor

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Thomas Nystrøm resigned as special advisor to Pia Olsen Dyhr (SF) following criticism over his past employment.
  • Nystrøm had previously left SF in 2020 amid allegations of harassment and inappropriate behavior.
  • A political commentator predicts a temporary dip in SF's poll numbers due to the scandal.

Thomas Nystrøm resigned Saturday as special advisor to Pia Olsen Dyhr (SF) after facing intense criticism regarding his prior employment history. Nystrøm had previously worked for SF for many years, departing in the autumn of 2020 following accusations of harassment and inappropriate conduct.

it is reasonable to give the person a new chance.

— Pia Olsen DyhrHer initial justification for hiring Thomas Nystrøm.

Erik Holstein, a political commentator for Altinget, suggested that SF is likely to see a decline in voter support in the next opinion poll. However, he believes the scandal's impact will likely fade by the autumn, when discussions shift to more pressing issues like the state budget and welfare improvements.

The controversy began when Lotte Kofoed, an SF councilor in Frederiksberg, revealed on Wednesday that Dyhr had hired an advisor who had previously sexually harassed her and had been dismissed from SF for similar reasons. Kofoed publicly accused Dyhr of hiring the man who had harassed her and whom Dyhr herself had previously fired.

deeply unhappy about the episodes that led to him stopping in his position in SF. He also wrote that he had apologized to Lotte Kofoed.

— Thomas NystrømHis statement on Facebook regarding past incidents.

Dyhr initially responded that after careful consideration, she believed it was "reasonable to give the person a new chance." This stance drew further criticism from various SF members and the SF Youth party. Nystrøm himself posted on Facebook on Friday, expressing deep regret for the incidents that led to his departure and stating he had apologized to Lotte Kofoed. He announced his resignation on Saturday, citing the "very difficult" past few days for him and his family.

very difficult for him and his family.

— Thomas NystrømDescribing the impact of the recent controversy on him.

Dyhr later posted on SF's internal Facebook forum on Saturday evening, acknowledging that the party was in a "difficult place right now." The timeline of Nystrøm's involvement with Dyhr spans several ministerial roles since 2011, including trade and investment, transport, and advisory positions within SF's parliamentary group.

the party is in a difficult place right now.

— Pia Olsen DyhrHer assessment of the party's current situation on SF's internal forum.
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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