Election posters appeared across Denmark just days ago. But candidates already face widespread vandalism. Over 60 posters for a Liberal Party candidate in Herlev were destroyed. Two large banners for a Socialist People's Party member in Holstebro were damaged.
Police take this seriously, not as childish pranks. Tage Jehn, head of the National Police Crisis Management Center, said penalties start with fines but can lead to prison. He explained, "If it is extensive and organized, and perpetrators have prior convictions, sentences can rise to six years."
Jehn urged witnesses to document incidents, such as by recording video.
Lone Clausen, a Social Democrat running for municipal and regional councils in Hjallerup, had a large banner stolen. It measured 3.5 by 1.5 meters and was dug 80 centimeters into the ground near Brønderslev. She expressed deep frustration, noting the effort spent on placements and permissions.
In Hedensted Municipality, three Liberal Alliance candidates became less visible after 50-100 posters vanished. Candidate Diana Sofie Beurze said, "It actually hurt a little when we discovered it. We were very affected. We spent so much time and energy on it."
Casper Schneidereit from the Guldborgsund List had 60 posters broken. He declared, "I will never put up a single election poster again. I simply can't be bothered with that show."
Jan Nymark Rose Thaysen, the Liberal Party's mayoral candidate in Aalborg, found some of his posters burned.
Since October 4, police received four reports of poster theft and 18 vandalism reports. The National Police launched a special effort against election-related harassment and threats this year. For the first time, they are nationally registering all reports of criminal harassment, threats, vandalism, and violent behavior motivated by others' participation in public debate.
The Police Online Patrol will monitor relevant internet forums before the election. They aim to remind users of good behavior and prevent criminal harassment and threatening conduct.
Jehn emphasized, "It must be safe for everyone, regardless of viewpoint, to participate in political debate. So it is important to take violations like harassment or vandalism seriously."
However, without comparable data from previous years, he could not confirm if vandalism has increased.
This coordinated damage across parties suggests more than random mischief. It appears to be targeted intimidation against the democratic process itself.