The Danes flex their democratic muscle on Election Day

‘As people come into the polling stations, Danes reflect in the importance of local government and democracy’

By Gabrielle Bunton on November 16, 2021 at 11:42 p.m.

(Target Audience is anyone from all across the world)

(Photo Credit to Gabrielle Bunton: The sign outside of Vejlby-Risskov Hallen)

Vejlby-Risskov Hallen in Aarhus, Denmark has had many great moments. From having Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd grace the stage, it now has also become a home to cast your vote.

As people make their way through the parking lot, they are met with the giant smiling faces of candidates on posters that can be seen all around the city. They clutch their ballots in their hand as an aura of calmness surrounds the scene. People calmly make their way into a room in the giant arena making a line. While some take a look at the big posters with the names of all candidates on the walls, others continue to get in line to put their ballots in the box.

For some it’s just a casual election day but for  Thomas Sudergaard, student at Aarhus University, being there to vote was more than just electing people but to help his family. “Some people in my family have had medical issues in the past. I have seen how health care works in other countries, so I’m grateful to live here and be able to vote for people who can help it,” said Sudergaard.

(Photo Credits to Gabrielle Bunton: People wait inside the Vejlby-Risskov Hallen in Aarhus, Denmark to cast the ballots for Election Day on November 16, 2021)

November 16 marks Election Day for Denmark for their local governments. Danes

come into various polling stations across their five regions and 98 municipalities to vote for local and regional councils. These elections must be held every four years on the third Tuesday of November according to the Local and Regionals Election Act.

The Danish government has a parliamentary democracy or Folketing with multiple parties, ministers, a queen and more. Democracy is a big thing in Denmark with the country being built on one of the world oldest constitutions, the Danish Constitution of 1849, which is over 170 years old, according to the official website of Denmark.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/QTS0C62MO9w 

“I think we have a good democracy and it shows. Danish culture is very stress free because of how we are set up as a country. We believe in our democracy. We believe in our democracy,” said Sudergaard.

The people take advantage of some of the fundamental principles in democracy with voting. According to Election Guide, Denmark has a average voting turnout of 79.72% with 4,219,537 registered voters. Voters must be 18 years or older, a residence in one of regions or municipalities, a citizen of a EU member state, citizen of Iceland or Norway, a citizen of a non-EU member state (must have resided in Denmark for a period of four years), according to the Danish Parliament website.

People can vote from a multitude of parties with even more members. This year 19 parties with over 180+ candidates among the various parties. A list can be found here (in Danish).

As an foreigner here, I noticed that when it comes to voting, not much propaganda was made to encourage people to vote. For example, in America you will see commercials, clothes, posts on social media and much more to influence people to vote. In Denmark people seem more willing to vote rather than in America where it seems like a life or death situation. It was way more relaxed here.

I also noticed that Denmark has strong local governments that many people trust. In America, now more than ever, people do not have must trust in our government. Denmark is among the countries with the lowest level perceived corruption in the public sector, while in America public trust in government remains low. Only about one-quarter of Americans say they can trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (22%), according to Pew Research. 

(Photo Credit to Gabrielle Bunton: A list of all candidates and parties up for the local and regional election)

For Danish citizens, election day is pretty casual compared to others. For example, America has had a lot of tension among political parties that has made its way into the people. The country has been in the forefront of many bold displays that people have made against the government such as the Capital Riots.

Voter, Nana Skaidantcis, says it is always a breeze to vote. “It’s pretty easy. You just go in and put your ballot in the box. There are really no problems when voting here to be honest,” said Skaidantcis.

As stated by the City of Aarhus, when the elections are closed and final, the elected local and regional council will take office on January 1st of the following election year. The previous members will resign on December 31st in the election year.

The regional councils or Regionsrådet focus on healthcare (hospitals etc.). psychiatry, social services, and regional development for all five regions with each council having 41 members. Local councils focus more on the community with sports, infrastructure, housing, childcare, schools, culture and mainly the everyday life for people within the municipality.

Another Josephine Lusty, says that voting in these local elections helps everyone in the community. “People are able to vote for whoever they want without any pressure. People are able to exercise their right in democracy which is very important,” said Lusty.

Even though these elections happen every four years, people can practice democracy in their everyday lives like  political organizations, attending board council board meetings, joining sports organizations and more.

“To me democracy is more than just voting for people. We are doing things that will affect ourselves, everyone around us and everything that we deal with in our country. Voting is a privilege that should be taken seriously by everyone,” said Lusty.

For more on voting in local and regional elections in Aarhus go to https://international.aarhus.dk/live/elections/local-municipal-and-regional-elections/#1. For information on voting other municipalities or regions got to their official websites.

Culture Shock: How Denmark and US are handling the pandemic

Danish citizens are one of the few people who have been able to get back to a sense of normalcy amidst the pandemic. The country has handled the pandemic well with 81.7% or 4,210,892 fully vaccinated, according to the Danish Health Authority. 

People enjoy the night life at the City Centre of Aarhus, Denmark.

Denmark is on pace to lift all remaining COVID restrictions on September 10 after the health ministry declared the virus “no longer a critical threat to society”. A number of restrictions have been lifted as early as September 1 like showing a valid corona pass to sit in restaurants and bars, and the ban on discos and nightclubs. 

As seen in the pictures below the citizens have gotten back to a sense of normalcy with no masks mandates, restaurants allowing people to sit inside, shops opening back up to full capacity, requiring people to have a corona passport and more. Peter Ronn, a resident at Borglum Kolligiet, said “It’s been great to have everything back open. I’m glad that Denmark took things seriously unlike other countries. We are able to get back to our regular lives.” 

Many are happy for the progress of Denmark opening back up, but others are ready for the pandemic to be over all together. Another resident at Borglum Kolligiet, Nikolaj Waerke expressed similar views to Ronn, but he would like for the pandemic to be over all together. “We have been in it for so long. I can’t wait until we can just get rid of it.”

Denmark has handled the pandemic extremely well compared to other countries like the United States. While taking into consideration the differences in population, culture, economy and more, America has been in the spotlight with the heavy refusal of quarantines, mask mandates, lack of supplies, lack of trust in the government, etc.

Recently, pharmacies and state governments in America have thrown away at least 15.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since March 1, according to government data obtained by NBC News.  The US has also faced a number of medical device shortages like hospital beds, gloves, testing supplies, ventilators and more.

Citizens have also been very combative, going as far as to have protests against wearing masks which have risen despite the rising numbers of COVID-related deaths and cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID Data Tracker, within the last 30 days the total number of cases in the US are 39,488, 866 with 641,725 deaths. 

Many people in America had expressed their various opinions on how their country was handling the pandemic. For receptionist at Glasser Clinic of Greenview Medical Group in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Runetta Arnold, working as a essential worker has been an eye opening experience for her. 

Runetta Arnold (third from the left) has seen her fair share of COVID-19 patients, which has made her all more eager to due her part in ending the pandemic

“So many people should take this seriously. I see so many people everyday who come in with symptoms, pains and more. We should all take the initiative to get vaccinated, wear masks and help each other,” said Arnold. “One thing we can all agree on is that we are tired of being in this pandemic.”

Out of Kentucky’s population of 4,449,052, 48% or 2,174,020 are fully vaccinated, as stated by USA Facts. National Public Radio has listed Kentucky is one of the states with the highest-risk for COVID.

Her daughter, Josland Arnold says that American people have embarrassed themselves throughout the pandemic. “No one wears a mask when they should be. People are going everywhere even if they are sick or have symptoms. Nobody wants to get vaccinated. It’s just a mess.”

Josland and her wife, Dayla Scott, have been out during the pandemic due to their jobs, but feel uncomfortable around others. Scott is a school teacher and doula. Arnold is a call center worker at a local factory. “People are dying from this. People’s kids and family members are being affected by this. It’s sad to see people get so angry about getting vaccinated and wearing masks. This pandemic could have been avoided if everyone did what they were told,” said Scott. 

Danish citizens stroll throughout the City Centre enjoying the open shopping centers, restaurants, bars and more.

The coronavirus may take some time to eradicate, especially with the Delta Variant, vaccines and supplies for many countries. It’s safe to say that many people are ready for this to be over, but we all must be on the same accord when battling the virus.

For more information on where to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Aarhus, download the infographic below.