The Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt\u2019s opening speech to parliament, on Tuesday, was immediately criticised by both sides of parliament, reports Seven59.dk and b.dk.<\/p>\n
The latest polls shows that support for her Social Democrat party has fallen dramatically since her maiden speech last year.<\/p>\n
The far-left Red\/Green Alliance questioned the lack of initiatives for the long-term unemployed , while the right-leaning parties said it was a speech that promised nothing for the business sector. Although the PM highlighted the need for education and jobs to sustain the welfare state, the Red\/Greens\u2019 policy spokesperson, Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen called it \u2018deeply problematic\u2019 that the biggest concern for many people right now \u2013 the threat of unemployment and loss of benefits \u2013 was barely mentioned.<\/p>\n
Former Prime Minister Lars L\u00f8kke Rasmussen of the Liberal Party characterised the speech as long on words but short on action. \u00bbOur biggest problem right now is the number of jobs being lost to other countries\u00ab he said. <\/p>\n
\u00bbDespite all the talk about a kick-start, the number of people in employment has fallen by 10,000 since the government came to power and there was negative growth in Q2. To stop the rot we need to act immediately and that\u2019s why my party has proposed a stimulation package so we can ease the burden on the business sector and provide the public with optimism again\u00ab.<\/p>\n
Liberal Alliance leader Anders Samuelsen said the PM\u2019s speech would actually cost jobs, because it failed to address the conditions for the business sector that are so poor. Jobs are disappearing out of the country on a daily basis, he said.<\/p>\n
universitypost@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n