In September, the Minister of Health and Domestic Affairs, Sophie Løhde (V), helped present the government's health reform. Now, she is backing a rule change, so mayors and regional council presidents cannot receive so-called double salaries. (Archive photo). Photo: Søren Bidstrup/Ritzau Scanpix
End to mayors’ double pay next term
Denmark’s Ministry of Interior and Health is implementing regulations to stop the double salary for outgoing mayors and regional council leaders. The new rules, effective from the next election period, will deduct severance pay if these officials start a new job outside of politics. This aligns with the current practice for MPs and ministers. Interior and Health Minister Sophie Løhde says this change ensures a fair safety net, rather than a ‘double pay,’ for local democracy. The change, which has been years in the making, will still guarantee all former officials a severance of 157,564 Danish kroner without any deductions.