Denmark votes to scrap public holiday to pay for military spending increase

WASHINGTON

Denmark’s parliament voted Tuesday to scrap a public holiday to help fund increased military spending, according to reports.

The bill to nix Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day) as a public holiday from 2024 was passed in a 95-68 vote despite criticism from the opposition, trade unions and religious leaders.

The Christian holiday, which falls on the fourth Friday after Easter, has been recognized since the 17th century.

The abolition of the holiday is expected to contribute to savings of around 3 billion kroner ($426 million) annually, according to reports.

Opposition lawmakers, who called the bill "foolish," "crazy" and "completely wrong," failed to agree to hold a referendum on the matter.

"The government orders people to work one more day," said Karsten Honge, a member of the Socialist People's Party.

The plan sparked mass protests in the Danish capital Copenhagen earlier this month.