A Denmark Democrats politician was fired on live television after voting for a left-wing mayor against party rules. Ole Blickfeldt, newly elected to Lejre municipal council, described his public dismissal as 'unworthy' treatment.
The controversy centers on Denmark Democrats' strict rule requiring members to support conservative mayors where right-wing majorities exist. Blickfeldt broke this rule in Lejre Municipality, where he argued no functional conservative majority actually existed.
'In Lejre Municipality, there is no real conservative majority,' Blickfeldt explained. 'It's a pseudo-majority on paper because the Liberal Party refuses to work with Denmark Democrats.' He noted the former mayor had stopped taking his calls, making cooperation impossible.
The political drama unfolded during live election coverage when party leader Inger Støjberg announced Blickfeldt's immediate expulsion. The public firing stunned the council member, who hadn't spoken with Støjberg directly that evening.
'I became really, really sad. I felt unfairly treated,' Blickfeldt said. 'They did this completely without talking to me. I never had any dialogue with Inger.'
Blickfeldt acknowledged expecting criticism but hoped for understanding given the unusual circumstances. He argued his vote for SF's Mikael Ralf Larsen could have helped Denmark Democrats negotiate more policy influence.
'I explained to party leadership multiple times during the evening that by supporting a red mayor, Denmark Democrats could have negotiated more of our policies through,' he said. 'But they wouldn't understand it.'
The mathematics behind the controversy reveals why Blickfeldt considered the situation exceptional. While conservative parties held 13 of 25 council seats, the Liberal Party's refusal to cooperate with Denmark Democrats created a dysfunctional majority.
This political fragmentation enabled SF's Mikael Ralf Larsen to secure the mayoral position with support from 17 council members, including Blickfeldt's crucial vote.
Danish local politics frequently features such complex coalition dynamics, but public expulsions during live broadcasts remain rare. The incident highlights the challenges newer parties face maintaining discipline while navigating practical governance realities.
Blickfeldt will continue serving on Lejre's municipal council as an independent member. His case illustrates the tension between party loyalty and local representation that often emerges in Denmark's multi-party system.
The public nature of his dismissal raises questions about political communication styles in Danish democracy. While parties must maintain discipline, public humiliations can damage both individual reputations and party credibility with voters.
This incident comes as Denmark Democrats seek to establish themselves as a stable force in Danish politics. How they handle internal disagreements may influence their long-term political viability beyond Støjberg's personal popularity.