The first Tuesday in October is also the first day in a new parliamentary year in Denmark.
While the Danish Parliament is at work all year round, sittings of the Chamber have a cycle of their own. Sittings of the Chamber begin on the first Tuesday of October and kick off the new parliamentary year. Members of the public can follow debates and voting from the spectators’ gallery and on the Danish Parliament’s TV channel.
Programme for the day
10:00: Prayers at Christiansborg Palace Church.
By tradition, the day begins with a church service at Christiansborg Palace Church for Members of the Danish Parliament, Ministers and invited guests. Members of the public who wish to attend may enter the church from 09:00-09:30. As seating in the church is limited, we cannot guarantee that there is a seat for everyone.
11:40: Members of the Royal Family arrive at Christiansborg Palace.
At 11:40, H.M. The Queen, H.R.H. Crown Prince Frederik, H.R.H. Crown Princess Mary and H.R.H. Princess Benedikte will arrive at Christiansborg Palace to attend the first sitting of the new parliamentary year. The Presidium, led by Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Søren Gade (The Liberal Party), will welcome the Royal family on arrival.
12:00: The longest-serving member inaugurates the sitting in the Chamber.
At 12 noon precisely, the first sitting of the parliamentary year begins. The sitting is always chaired by the longest serving member. This year it is Pia Kjærsgaard (The Danish People’s Party) who has held a seat in the Danish Parliament for more than 39 years.
Election of the Speaker of the Danish Parliament and its Presidium
The first item on the agenda is the election of the Speaker of the Danish Parliament and four Deputy Speakers, one from each of the four largest parties not including the Leader’s party. The Speaker and the four Deputy Speakers constitute the Presidium. The Presidium is responsible for the internal organisation of the Danish Parliament. Its duties include chairing sittings in the Chamber, and the day-to-day running and official representations of the Danish Parliament.
Opening Speech: According to the Government, how are things going in Denmark?
Once elected, the Speaker makes a speech of welcome, after which Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (The Social Democratic Party) addresses Parliament. In her speech, she accounts for the state of the Kingdom. Her opening address also includes a catalogue of legislative proposals the government plans to put forward during the new parliamentary session.
Where can you watch the opening?
A small number of seats in the spectator’s gallery are reserved for members of the public.
Tickets for these seats will be distributed on Tuesday, 3 October from 07:00 at the Rigsdagsgården entrance to the Danish Parliament. These tickets cannot be ordered in advance but will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.
Originally published at https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/en/news/2023/10/new-parliamentary-session
