Political Debates
The Social Democrat (S) government of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen reformed the penal code on March 17th 1999, coming into force on July 1, 1999 to decriminalise prostitution.
As elsewhere in Scandinavia there has been a continuing debate about the status of prostitution laws. The opposition Social Democrats and some feminist groups favour outlawing the buying of sexual services. This would put Denmark in line with Sweden, Norway and Iceland. This position was then supported by the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten EL), Socialist People’s Party (SF), but not the Social Liberals (R). This had little popular support, only about 26% supporting the measure. (see Public opinion)
In 2011, responding to both an opinion poll and recent research (which see) the opposition Social Democrats (S), supported by the Socialist People's Party (SF) on this issue, and do not consider the issue of rights identified in the 2011 poll. This puts them at odds with the minority governing parties, the Liberals (Venstre) (V) although the position of the junior party, the Conservatives's (K), position is less clear. On the other hand, the opposition People's Party (DF) is more supportive of rights, looking to New Zealand. In Denmark's complex political mosaic, the Radicals (Social Liberals) (R) who are divided on the issue, may hold the balance of power on this issue.
Read more about this topic: Prostitution In Denmark
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