Distaste for Copenhagen Soc Dem tactics

Daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten reported today that several prominent Copenhagen Social Democrats are preparing to quit the party en masse.

Party chairman Bo Sandberg and treasurer Anne Laustsen have already resigned in protest. City councilwoman Joan Jensen says she will not seek reelection, and Business Committee member Tone Folkedal is threatening to go. Several city district chairmen say the slim majority that supported Ritt Bjerregaard in the runoff election for the city mayor's office is "tyrannizing" other Social Democrats. Accusations are flying throughout Social Democratic party quarters in Copenhagen - and the mudslinging is getting nastier, with slurs like "Old Guard Commie" and "Concrete Socialist" flung freely between party colleagues.

The bitter reaction follows an internal party battle for coveted committee seats, especially the chairman of the Capital City Hospital Alliance. Party members are also angry that a majority of district party chairmen excluded two members of the so-called Consultation Committee in order to install two more Ritt Bjerregaard sympathizers.

After two and a half years as Copenhagen party chairman, Bo Sandberg is leaving his post.

"I can't stand to see the open debate and orderly selection of a new mayoral candidate that we saw earlier this autumn regress into internal power struggles," said Sandberg.

Joan Jensen says she's also had enough.

"My ethical and moral boundaries have been overstepped. This whole thing is so slimy, I can't stand to look myself in the mirror anymore," said Jensen.

Treasurer Anne Laustsen formerly sat on the Consultation Committee, but was asked to leave one week ago for not being sufficiently "Ritt-friendly."

"During last week's meeting, several district chairman asked for a reason (for my dismissal). Silence. I asked point-blank what had signaled to them that I had anything against Ritt Bjerregaard. Silence. We're on our way back to centralization and insularity. And the rest of us can just shut up and toe the line," said Laustsen.

Discontent has spread to the party's Business Committee, where member Tone Folkedal is strongly reconsidering her position, and fellow member Katrine Molin has called the latest power dispute irresponsible.

Copenhagen City Hall political affairs spokesman Karen Hækkerup told Jyllands-Posten that she was saddened by Bo Sandberg's departure.

"The party's over. The district chairmen have won the battle. Now it's time for them to come to their senses," said Hækkerup.

City councilman Finn Rudaizky says Bo Sandberg's exit is a step backward for democracy in the Social Democratic party.

"He swept in a new era and style within the party. The only thing that can save democracy now is for party delegates to urge Sandberg to stay," said Rudaizky.

Ritt Bjerregaard denies any role in the Social Democratic shakeup.

"I have no mandate to interfere in the issue of committee seats at all," Bjerregaard claimed.