Foreigners in Denmark should “predominantly adopt local Danish customs”, a majority of Danes say in a new Gallup/Berlingske opinion poll.
Some 20 percent said they would like to see foreigners in Denmark fully adopt Danish norms, while a vast majority – 72 percent – believe that foreigners ‘predominantly’ should follow Danish norms.
The poll comes in the wake of new integration minister Søren Pind’s public rejection of the idea that Denmark should be a multicultural society.
The result provides an accurate reflection of the general Danish attitude, according to Kaspar Støvring, who researches cultural conflicts at the University of Southern Denmark.
“Historically we have always been culturally homogenous and had a romantic idea of Danish culture, and we have developed a strong sense of community on that basis,” he said, pointing out that the Danish scepticism towards other nations’ traditions is not based on racism.
“The real problems arise when the traditions become too diverse and create a clash. The debate about ghettos and parallel societies has definitely made many Danes see the problems of a multicultural society. But it is, of course, also based on personal experience.”
Pind saw the poll result as highly representative of the Danish attitude.
“When you come to Denmark, you come here to become Danish, and mere words should not stand in the way of that,” he said, referring to the word ‘assimilation’, which he recently introduced into the immigration debate.
“I just think – like 92 percent of Danish voters – that foreigners should adopt Danish norms that characterise Danish democracy.”
The poll also shows that immigration issues will play a deciding role in the forthcoming general election.
Some 64 percent of voters said that immigration policy plays either a significant or a moderate role in how they will vote. This figure was surprisingly high, according to election specialist Johannes Andersen of Aalborg University.
“Today, the immigration debate can find its way into any discussion, whether it be in a positive or a negative way,” he said, referring to the recent proposal to require foreigners to earn their right to welfare services.
MP Henrik Dam Kristensen, the Social Democrat immigration spokesperson is not surprised to see immigration policy playing such a big role.
“Danes want to see the integration problems solved. Foreigners form a significant part of our economy.”
Although immigration issues will be a major issue in the election, Pind said he did not intend to change the message during the campaign.
“I’m not planning to speed up or slow down. I just want to fight for our cultural values,” he said.