Two Danish Social Democratic parliament members must seek special permission to hold dual political mandates after being reelected to Copenhagen's city council. Mette Reissmann and Yildiz Akdogan both won seats in Tuesday's municipal elections while already serving in Denmark's national parliament.
The Social Democrats maintain strict rules against dual mandates except in extraordinary circumstances. Party regulations require politicians to obtain exemptions from the party's main board, chaired by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Mette Reissmann received 1,170 personal votes in the Copenhagen election, while Yildiz Akdogan gained 959 personal votes. Both politicians previously took leaves of absence from their city council positions when they entered national politics.
Before the election, Reissmann clearly stated her priorities. She told reporters she would focus on her parliamentary work over city council duties. If she doesn't receive the required exemption, she plans to take another leave from the Copenhagen City Council rather than leave parliament early.
The party's regulations permit dual mandate exemptions only in very special situations. This creates a challenging position for politicians who maintain local connections while serving nationally.
Three other Social Democrats have already received similar exemptions. Veteran politician Bjarne Laustsen holds dual mandates in Rebild Municipality and parliament, though he plans to leave parliament after the next election. Morten Klessen, who replaced Rasmus Prehn in parliament, maintains his position in Jammerbugt Municipality while announcing he won't seek reelection. Louise Mehnke also holds dual roles in Fredensborg Municipality and as a substitute parliament member.
This situation highlights the complex relationship between local and national politics in Denmark. Many politicians begin their careers in municipal government before moving to national politics. Maintaining local connections can provide valuable grassroots support, but dual roles create significant workload challenges.
The exemption process demonstrates the party's attempt to balance individual circumstances with organizational discipline. Some observers note the potential for unequal treatment, as established figures seem more likely to receive exemptions than newer members.
Danish political culture traditionally values close connections between politicians and their constituencies. The dual mandate system allows some politicians to maintain these local ties while serving nationally. Critics argue this can lead to divided attention and inadequate representation at both levels.
The coming decisions on these exemption requests will reveal how the party leadership balances practical political considerations with organizational rules. The outcomes may set important precedents for how the Social Democrats manage similar situations in future elections.