Denmark’s unicameral parliament (Folketing) has voted to abolish the Great Day of Prayer, which is a public holiday, Dr.dk reports.
The holiday was introduced in 1686. It was supposed that people should devote this day to prayer and fasting. The holiday is celebrated on the fourth Friday after Easter, this year it will fall on May 5th. From 2024, the Great Day of Prayer will lose its status as a public holiday. This decision was supported by 95 parliamentarians, 68 voted against.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the measure would allow for an increase in the defense budget, which is necessary due to the “current security situation”. Denmark needs to “spend as much money on defense as possible,” she said.
According to the Ministry of Finance of the country, the abolition of the holiday and the introduction of an additional working day will bring 3 billion crowns (about 400 million euros) to the state treasury.
It is noted that the decision of the parliament to cancel the holiday caused a negative reaction throughout the country, where more than 73% of the population belong to the Lutheran church. Trade unions have launched an online petition that has garnered almost 500,000 signatures, and Denmark’s Lutheran bishops have said it was a “breach of trust.” In addition, in February, a protest was held near the parliament building in Copenhagen.
Source: Rosbalt
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