Only one of Denmark's roughly 1.1 million state pensioners has been guaranteed an extra 1,000 kroner a month in the new year. The Social Democrats have made the promise to a single named pensioner, Annemarie, which works out at 0.000091 percent of the country's pensioners, DR reported.
"We're really happy that we can now fulfil the election promise we gave voters before the election. Namely that the state pensioners who have the least should get 1,000 kroner more a month. And Annemarie will get that," said Lea Wermelin, acting political spokesperson for Socialdemokratiet.
The promise has stood since the government was formed in June. The finance bill proposal sets aside just over two billion kroner to give 1,000 kroner after tax to a total of 150,000 pensioners. The government led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been criticised by Ældre Sagen and Dansk Folkeparti because for a fifth month she will not say which 150,000 pensioners will receive the money.
Last Thursday Frederiksen went on a shopping trip with Annemarie and shared pictures on her Facebook and Instagram profiles with the message that pensioners who have the least should get around 1,000 kroner more a month. Socialdemokratiet then promised that Annemarie would be covered. Wermelin said Annemarie is one of the pensioners with the least, and declined to give out a private person's finances.
Frederik Waage, professor of administrative law at Syddansk Universitet, said the party is acting lawfully because the proposal has not been passed. "When it's about them currently negotiating a law, they can do what suits them. The trap closes first when the law is passed," he said.
Annemarie has taken part in Socialdemokratiet campaigns before. On 31 January the party shared a picture of her on Facebook because she was receive a food check, presenting her as a 76-year-old state pensioner. "I'm grateful to receive the food check. 2,500 kroner isn't small change. It's food on the table," she said.