Minorities – vital for a vibrant democracy
The ambassador paid tribute to Stefan Seidler, who, as a representative of the South Schleswig Voters’ Association in the German Bundestag since 2021, has been championing the interests of the Danish and Frisian minorities. He emphasised how important the political representation of minorities is for a vibrant democracy.

Denmark among the top-ranked countries
Yet democracy is under pressure worldwide, and in Europe too. Democracy means “not only free and fair elections, but also the rule of law, freedom of expression and of the press, freedom from corruption, and the protection of minorities”. One indication that Denmark’s democracy is functioning well is that the country has once again been ranked number one in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, number four in Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index, and is also very high up on the list of the world’s happiest countries.

Challenges for democracies
Ambassador Østrup Møller identified the global rise of autocratic tendencies and the influence of social media and major tech companies as key challenges. These could manipulate public debate.
 

Denmark–Germany Partnership
Another key theme of the speech was the close partnership between Denmark and Germany. The two countries were increasingly working together in the fields of security, digitalisation, health and renewable energy. Projects such as the Fehmarn Belt link symbolised this growing closeness. In the border region in particular, a trusting friendship had emerged from a conflict-ridden past – underpinned also by the German and Danish minorities on both sides of the border.
 

Danish pragmatism
In his speech, Stefan Seidler of the South Schleswig Voters’ Association presented the German-Danish border region as a model for reconciliation, diversity in practice and the protection of minorities. Out of a past marked by conflict, he said, a region had emerged in which minorities lived together democratically. The decisive factor, he argued, was how democracies treated minorities. At the same time, he highlighted the close cooperation between Germany and Denmark in the areas of infrastructure, energy, security and environmental protection. He praised Danish pragmatism as a role model. His key point: it is not borders or projects that connect the two countries, but the people.

Dänemarks Eurovision Song Contest Star
Matthias Sonne, Head of the Communications and Culture Department, entertainingly hosted the evening as master of ceremonies, bantered verbally with the audience, and, with Danish ease, encouraged everyone to sing national anthems and a Beatles song. The musical highlight was the performance by Denmark’s Eurovision Song Contest star Søren Torpegaard Lund. Afterwards, the guests enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, Carlsberg beer, and other Danish delicacies at the summer celebration in the embassy’s spacious garden, accompanied by live music from Frederik Verdersø and Emilia Mårtensson.