(DENMARK) A growing split inside Denmark’s coalition government has burst into the open after the liberal party Venstre said it is ready for Denmark to withdraw from the European Convention on Nationality if it cannot secure changes to the treaty. The move has sharpened a clash over how far the country should go in stripping citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious crimes.
The dispute centers on the European Convention on Nationality, a Council of Europe treaty that sets shared rules for how states grant and take away citizenship. Denmark signed the convention, which says a state may only remove nationality from a dual citizen when that person’s actions cause “serious damage to the vital interests of the state.” It also contains strong protections against statelessness and arbitrary loss of citizenship.
Venstre’s position and proposed two‑step line
Venstre leader Jakob Ellemann‑Jensen argues that the convention’s standard is too strict and ties the hands of Danish authorities when dealing with foreign nationals or dual citizens who commit violent crimes such as serious assaults or rape.
In Venstre’s view, the convention:
- Stops Denmark from using citizenship withdrawal as a tool in more cases.
- Weakens public trust in the legal system.
- Undermines Denmark’s promise of a strict immigration and integration policy.
Venstre’s new line has two steps:
- Try to negotiate changes to the convention so Denmark can revoke citizenship in serious criminal cases without proving damage to “vital interests of the state.”
- If talks fail before the next election, be ready for full withdrawal from the treaty to reclaim national control over these decisions.
This stance marks a clear shift because Venstre is a key member of the ruling coalition, not a fringe party. Its openness to exit puts pressure on coalition partners and raises the possibility that a future Danish government could be among the first in Europe to step away from common rules on nationality.
Government response and the political divide
On December 8, 2025, Immigration and Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund (Social Democrats) rejected leaving the convention:
“No, I am not at a point where I talk about leaving any conventions. I am very focused on trying to use these large institutions we have.”
Stoklund’s refusal draws a clear line between his party and Venstre. It highlights a deeper coalition question: should Denmark remain bound by European standards on citizenship, or move to a more unilateral approach prioritizing national control, even if that means stepping back from international commitments?
Purpose of the convention and human‑rights concerns
The European Convention on Nationality was designed to prevent abuses such as mass denationalisation or the targeting of political opponents by removing their citizenship. Key provisions include:
- A requirement that people are not left stateless.
- Limits on when countries can take away citizenship from dual nationals.
According to the official Council of Europe page on the convention, member states agreed these rules to give a basic level of security so that passport status could not be changed lightly: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=166.
Opponents of withdrawal inside the government warn that leaving could:
- Harm Denmark’s reputation as a country that respects international law and human rights.
- Encourage other states to follow suit, weakening the European human rights system.
- Increase risks for individuals, removing safeguards against arbitrary deprivation of citizenship.
Human rights advocates stress that the convention’s protections against arbitrary citizenship loss and statelessness are core parts of modern human-rights law. Critics fear politically driven or overly broad use of citizenship stripping in heated debates about immigration, crime, and security.
Political alignment and the “blue bloc”
Venstre’s stance moves it closer to parties in Denmark’s so‑called blue bloc, which have long sought more power to strip citizenship. These parties include:
- Denmark Democrats (Inger Støjberg)
- Liberal Alliance
- Conservatives
- Danish People’s Party
Their argument centers on sovereignty: Danish lawmakers — not judges in Strasbourg or a Council of Europe text — should decide when a person loses Danish nationality, especially in terrorism or extreme crime cases. They view the convention as an international layer that restricts Denmark’s ability to enforce a strict immigration line.
Arguments from Venstre and Social Democrats
Venstre insists its goal is not to remove all limits but to ensure the state can act more often in serious crime and terrorism cases. The party’s reasoning:
- When a person holds another nationality, revoking Danish citizenship does not create statelessness.
- Revocation can be a fair response to acts showing deep rejection of Danish law and values.
- The “vital interests of the state” test is too narrow to reflect what many Danes view as betrayals of the community.
Stoklund and the Social Democrats counter:
- Existing tools within current law and the convention framework should be used more firmly.
- Priority should be working within large institutions (like the Council of Europe) rather than reopening international agreements.
Wider implications beyond Denmark
Analysts note that the Danish debate is part of a broader European pattern where states face pressure to respond to crime and security while honoring international commitments. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, such debates are becoming more common as governments balance domestic demands with treaty obligations.
Potential wider consequences of Danish withdrawal:
- Prompt debates in Nordic countries and the EU about balancing national control and shared standards.
- Encourage other states to reconsider commitments to prevent arbitrary denationalisation.
- Change expectations for dual citizens across Europe about the security of their nationality.
What this means for citizens and the political timetable
For now, Denmark remains bound by the European Convention on Nationality. Any formal withdrawal would require a clear political decision and notification to the Council of Europe.
However:
- The public debate can shape expectations and increase anxiety among dual nationals about the future security of their Danish nationality.
- Venstre has explicitly tied its withdrawal threat to the period before the next election, making the issue a campaign item and giving voters a stake in weighing international rules versus national control.
Key takeaways
The sharp split between Venstre’s readiness to withdraw and Stoklund’s refusal to “talk about leaving any conventions” exposes a significant fault line within the governing coalition. Questions of nationality, immigration, and international law have moved to the heart of Danish politics, setting up a difficult test for the current government and future administrations.
Summary of positions:
- Venstre: Wants negotiation to relax the convention’s threshold; ready to withdraw if unsuccessful before the next election.
- Social Democrats (Rasmus Stoklund): Opposes leaving; prefers to work within international institutions and apply existing legal tools.
- Blue bloc parties: Support withdrawal to regain national control over nationality decisions.
- Human rights advocates and opponents within government: Warn of reputational damage, risks to individual rights, and broader European repercussions.
Venstre has publicly declared readiness to withdraw Denmark from the European Convention on Nationality if negotiations to relax its standard fail before the next election. The party wants the ability to revoke citizenship more often for dual nationals convicted of serious crimes, arguing current rules are too restrictive. Immigration Minister Rasmus Stoklund opposes leaving and favors working within European institutions. Opponents warn withdrawal could harm Denmark’s human-rights reputation and increase risks of arbitrary denationalisation.
