By Natasha Pearce
Copenhagen is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming election, as is the rest of Denmark. There’s one man on everyone’s lips: Søren Pape Poulsen.
Speaking to students at the IT University of Copenhagen, it was clear that the youth of Copenhagen have their preferences to the left side of politics. Thus, Poulsen is not a serious candidate to them, but not because of his scandals.
Andreas, 24, explains that Poulsen will lose votes from the Danish youth due to his policies on removing possibilities within education. He will be voting for the left wing party Socialistisk Folkeparti instead, a common sentiment among the students.
“This is a strategic and wise move from Poulsen.” Adam, a 25 year old student told me, “The other Conservative candidate Jakob Ellemann-Jensen is struggling with popularity.”
For the students of Copenhagen, this is a choice between the lesser of two evils. When asked which Conservative leader they would prefer, Patrick aged 25, declared it doesn’t matter who wins. “It’s two shades of the same colour.”
A member, and since 2014, the leader of the Folketing for the Danish Conservative Party, Poulsen seems to be in headlines for more gossip than policy. Denmark could potentially have its first openly LGBTQ+ Prime Minister, but his scandalous past could hinder this.
This article is written for an audience in England to understand Danish politics impact in its country and how it compares to English politics; it could be published for the Guardian.