Denmark’s 179-seat parliament voted 95 to 68 in favor of the federal government’s proposal to abolish the Great Day of Prayer, a spiritual holiday that falls on the fourth Friday after Easter.
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Danish lawmakers have voted to remove the spring bank holiday from the national calendar and plan to use the savings to boost military spending.
Denmark’s 179-seat parliament voted 95 to 68 on Tuesday to approve the centrist coalition government’s proposal to abolish the Store Bededag, or Great Day of Prayer, from next 12 months.
The Great Day of Prayer is a spiritual holiday that falls on the fourth Friday after Easter.
The newly formed government said canceling the holiday would supply an extra DKK 3 billion (around $430 million). The lion’s share of this amount will then be used to increase the country’s defense spending and produce it in keeping with NATO’s goal of two% of gross domestic product.
The controversial bill, which was proposed in December, drew fierce criticism from religious groups, unions and lawmakers across the political spectrum. Opposition deputies, nevertheless, failed to reach an agreement on holding a referendum on this issue.
“Stop the thief,” said Karsten Hønge, a member of the Socialist People’s Party. Press Association. “The federal government is ordering people to work at some point more.”
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Nearly 500,000 people have signed online petition keep the holiday from Wednesday.
Last month, 1000’s of individuals gathered outside the Danish Parliament constructing in Copenhagen to protest against the law.
The trade unions organizing the protest estimate that not less than 50,000 people took part within the demonstration. people, according to Reuters reported it might be the most important demonstration within the country in greater than a decade.
Led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the Danish coalition of social democrats, liberals and moderates said the bill was partly a response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Employees in Denmark currently have 11 public holidays.