The Danish Parliament is closed for visits but essential parliamentary work continues.

The Presidium is following the announcements of the Danish government and health authorities closely, and awaits further guidelines on how to slowly reopening the Danish Parliament.

Various measures has been made in order to keep the parliamentary work going and for the members of the Parliament to uphold the needed physical distance when voting for the legislation, as well as participating in committee meetings and other crucial work. 

Essential parliamentary work will continue

On Thursday, March 12, The Rules of Procedure Committee (UFO) discussed what adjustments the Danish Parliament should take in the light of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's far-reaching measures for society in light of the corona epidemic. There was agreement to keep the Parliament running.

“It is crucial for Danish society that we maintain the essential functions of the Danish Parliament, so that we can adopt legislation. We have a duty to ensure that Parliament can discuss and adopt urgent proposals. Among other things, legislation is needed to give the government the legal basis to implement measures that can bring Denmark through the current crisis,” says the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Henrik Dam Kristensen (S).

This means that the Danish Parliament will keep critically important functions running, but put other activities on hold. In practical terms, discussion of non-essential proposals will be deferred. The same applies to the consideration of motions for resolutions and calls for consultation, where a minister meets in a committee and answers questions. On the other hand, it will still be possible to ask written questions directly to a minister, the so-called paragraph 20 questions, and committee questions as part of the parliamentary control of the government.

Parliament is closed for visits

The Parliament is following the instructions of health authorities and has taken steps to limit the risk of infection with coronavirus by canceling a number of offers and events until May 10.

This applies to school classes, participants in the game ‘Politician for a Day’ and other groups who have arranged a tour with the Folketing's visiting service or a parliamentary member.

As further precaution, the viewing platform on the Christiansborg tower will also be closed until further notion. This includes the restaurant. 
These initiatives must be seen in relation to the general interest in ensuring that the Parliament can continue its work with regard to drafting legislation and passing laws. This consideration is an absolute priority.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Visitor Service at [email protected].