Voting rights to Permanent Residents for Borgerforslag
Denmark is a country built on the principle of folkestyre, meaning government by the people. Today, the digital platform meant to give "the people" a direct voice in parliament is closed to a massive portion of the population who are actively building Denmark's future.
We believe that if you live, work, and contribute to the daily fabric of a society, you should have the right to raise your voice and suggest improvements to its laws, regardless of your passport.
Permanent Residents should have the right to propose and sign Borgerforslag.
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The Borgerforslag platform was introduced to bring citizens closer to the democratic process, allowing any idea that gathers 50.000 signatures to be debated in the Folketing.
Yet, over 600.000 international residents are completely locked out of this digital town hall.Our children sit in Danish classrooms, we navigate the Danish healthcare system, and we pay the very taxes that fund public infrastructure. When a problem arises in our local communities or workplaces, we have the lived experience to suggest practical, common-sense solutions.
When 10% of the population is legally barred from even suggesting an idea to the parliament, democracy suffers. True integration requires allowing residents to help fix the system they live in.
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Democratic Innovation: Ideas have no nationality. A good policy proposal regarding the labor market, integration, or childcare is valuable whether it comes from a Danish citizen or a permanent resident. Denying us the right to submit proposals means Denmark misses out on crucial, firsthand insights.
Civic Engagement: Allowing permanent residents to participate in Borgerforslag is the ultimate tool for active integration. It encourages internationals to study Danish laws, engage in public debate, and take collective responsibility for the country's development.
A Low-Barrier Democratic Bridge: Unlike parliamentary voting, Borgerforslag is a consultative tool, it forces a debate, not a law. Opening this platform to permanent residents is a safe, pragmatic step to align democratic participation with modern residency.
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Borgerforslag is an extension of parliamentary rights reserved for citizens
Borgerforslag is a modern, digital petition system introduced in 2018; it is not a traditional parliamentary election. It was designed to foster a healthy civil society and bring fresh perspectives to Christiansborg. Restricting a petition platform based on ancestry rather than contribution defeats the modern purpose of civic technology.
It requires a change to the Constitution (Grundloven)
Unlike voting in a general election (Folketingsvalget), which is strictly bound to citizenship by Section 29 of the Constitution, the Borgerforslag platform is governed by ordinary legislation passed by the Folketing. Parliament has the full legal authority to modify the access requirements for the platform tomorrow. It requires political will, not a constitutional crisis.
Foreigners might push for interests that conflict with Danish values
The data shows that internationals move to Denmark precisely because they respect and value the Danish model: its transparency, equality, and high standard of living. Any proposal submitted to the platform must still comply with basic legal standards to be published, and it still requires 50.000 signatures from the wider public to even reach the floor of the Folketing. No niche or harmful interest can bypass that collective democratic filter.
It dilutes the voice of Danish citizens
An international resident suggesting a way to reduce administrative red tape or improve local infrastructure takes nothing away from a Danish citizen. It strengthens the entire system by ensuring that the problems brought to parliamentarians reflect the actual reality of everyone living in the country.
Our Proposal
Denmark will be stronger with a legislation that grants the right to propose and support Borgerforslag to any individual holding a Permanent Residency permit in Denmark.
This ensures that the platform is used by people who are committed, integrated, and legally entitled to stay in Denmark long-term. To obtain Permanent Residency, an individual must already meet strict, verified criteria:
Years of full-time employment.
Passing Danish language exams.
A clean criminal record.
Financial self-sufficiency.
We aim to move Denmark from a traditional democracy based on ancestry and citizenship to a Modern Democracy based on contribution and residency.