Climate Minister Lars Aagaard (M) looks likely to be able to continue as minister. Independent Jon Stephensen stated in an email to Ritzau on Tuesday afternoon that he supports the Climate Minister in a case regarding withheld information about delays in the expansion of the electricity grid.
- After reading the ministry's statement and after thorough consideration over the past few days, I have decided that I continue to support Climate Minister Lars Aagaard, writes Jon Stephensen.
Therefore, there are now 89 mandates behind Lars Aagaard, who therefore no longer seems to have a majority against him. Usually, a majority is created from 90 mandates, but Peter Seier Christensen has been absent from the Folketing due to illness since April 2023. And he will not interfere in Lars Aagaard's fate. This is confirmed by Peter Seier's advisor Lars Eldrup, who is also the party secretary of Nye Borgerlige, where Peter Seier is still a member.
Jon Stephensen is himself a former member of the Moderates, and this has influenced his decision to pardon Lars Aagaard.
- The opposite would be interpreted and investigated as an act of revenge, and I do not want to be taken to task for such speculation, writes Jon Stephensen in the email.
He further writes that he does not want to "create unrest about the government", as "the world looks right now" and points out that he "has so clearly supported the broad center-right government that Denmark has".
The message from Jon Stephensen comes shortly after three North Atlantic mandates in a written message to Ritzau have also declared their support for Lars Aagaard. The three are Aaja Chemnitz from Inuit Ataqatigiit, Anna Falkenberg from the Sambandspartiet and Sjúrður Skaale from the Javnaðarflokkurin.
It is highly unusual for North Atlantic mandates to get directly involved in domestic political issues. Ritzau was unable to reach Aaja Chemnitz and Sjúrður Skaale on Tuesday evening, while Anna Falkenberg states that she has no further comments.
With the three North Atlantic mandates and Jon Stephensen's mandate on top of the government's 85 mandates, there are now 89 mandates behind Lars Aagaard. The opposition parties can collect 85 mandates. Before the three North Atlantic mandates came to the fore, the opposition needed three additional mandates among the independents in the Folketing to overthrow the climate minister.
The case about Lars Aagaard began when the media outlet Zetland was able to describe that a press release from Energinet was withdrawn after dialogue with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. The press release described that there were massive delays on the electricity grid.
The specific press release and assessment were not delivered to the public or the parties outside the government. Lars Aagaard has regretted the matter. All opposition parties are now deeply critical of the climate minister, and they have said that an extraordinarily good explanation must be given for a consultation on Wednesday, if they are not to declare their lack of confidence in Lars Aagaard.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities states that Lars Aagaard will not speak to the press until the consultation has been held on Wednesday morning.
jel /ritzau/
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