Danish Party Demands Mindset Check for Citizenship Applicants

Denmark may soon apply stricter scrutiny to citizenship applicants. The Liberal Alliance party wants mindset interviews for applicants suspected of anti-democratic views. This request follows a review of 2,055 people listed in a current citizenship bill. The party found an applicant who praised Hamas leaders. Liberal Alliance leader Alex Vanopslagh urged parliament to delay new citizenships. He wants a proper screening system in place first. The story was reported by Politiken and cited by the Copenhagen Post.

Danish citizenship bills usually pass Folketinget twice a year. The current bill was delayed by the spring parliamentary election. The government submitted the bill before a new screening tool was ready. Social Democrats spokesperson Rasmus Stoklund invited parties to report suspicious applicants. Liberal Alliance then acted on his suggestion. Dansk Folkeparti supports interviewing the applicant. However, Enhedslisten opposes the idea and calls it thought control. The identified woman told Politiken she denies supporting violence. She is willing to attend an interview.