Press Release on visit by the Presidency of the Danish Parliament to South Africa

Denmark and South Africa have entered into a GREEN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT in February 2022, and the purpose of the Presidium’s visit is, among other things, to support the partnership and at the same time to strengthen the Danish dialogue with political parties in South Africa on multi-party governance and party cooperation.

The Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Søren Gade, states before the trip: “South Africa is a very important partner for Denmark on the African continent. I look forward to contributing to further strengthening the good ties between the two countries’ democratic institutions through the Presidium’s visit.” In these years, South Africa is facing the “second democratic transition”. In the period 1990-1994, South Africa experienced a transition from apartheid rule to democracy. Today, South Africa faces a possible transition from 30 years of ANC majority rule to an increased degree of multi-party rule; given that prediction ahead of the national elections in 2024 indicate that for the first time, the ANC will not be able to obtain an absolute majority.

The Presidium’s visit will contribute to strengthening the dialogue with the political parties in South Africa on multi-party government and coalition building, and here the Presidium can contribute with experiences from the Danish democratic tradition.

Participants:  

Søren Gade (V)

Leif Lahn Jensen (S)

Jeppe Søe (M)

Karsten Hønge (SF)

Karina Adsbøl (DD)

Other participants:

Direktør Marie Hansen

Vicedirektør Torben Jensen

Sekretariatschef Søren Koushede