Venstre Proposes Cutting Aid Budget by Billions

Denmark’s Liberal Party, Venstre, plans to reduce the country’s development aid spending from 0.7 percent to 0.5 percent of gross national product (GNP). According to the party’s own calculations, this shift would free up approximately 6.5 billion Danish kroner. The proposal comes directly from Venstre’s chairman, Troels Lund Poulsen, who outlined the plan in a recent interview with Berlingske. Poulsen emphasized that current circumstances demand a reevaluation of national priorities. “We’re in a situation where we can’t just keep doing what we’ve always done,” he told the newspaper. He explained that the redirected funds would support increased investment in Denmark’s welfare system, going beyond even what demographic changes alone would require. This signals a clear pivot toward domestic social policy over international aid commitments. The party leader also pointed to rising security-related expenses as another reason for fiscal realignment. While development aid has long been a cornerstone of Danish foreign policy, this proposed cut suggests a strategic shift in how public funds are allocated. As someone covering integration and social policy, I see this move reflecting broader debates about balancing global responsibilities with local needs in Danish society.