Copenhagen, August 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that Europe faces threats not only from external adversaries but also from within, as she called for stronger action against illegal migration, failed integration and Islamist extremism.
Speaking during a special session of the Danish Parliament following recent tensions surrounding migration in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, Frederiksen said Europe was confronting growing internal challenges linked to individuals who reject democratic principles and fundamental European values.
Frederiksen said Russia remained Europe’s biggest external enemy but argued that an additional threat had emerged from within European societies. She specifically referred to supporters of Hamas, individuals involved in terrorism and people who, in her assessment, reject the values underpinning open and democratic European societies.
The Danish prime minister’s remarks have attracted considerable attention because of her position as a center-left leader. Her government has pursued some of Europe’s stricter migration policies, including measures aimed at limiting irregular migration and addressing what Copenhagen considers failed integration.
Frederiksen has also criticized Spain’s approach to migration, saying Denmark would not accept what she described as the consequences of immigration policies adopted by other European countries. She has maintained that Europe needs stronger control over its external borders and more effective measures against illegal entry.
On August 1, Frederiksen joined Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and 20 other European leaders in calling for stronger European measures against mass crossings, the instrumentalization of migration and other hybrid threats. The Danish and Italian leaders subsequently stressed the importance of protecting Europe’s cultural heritage and ensuring that newcomers respect European laws and values.
The Danish government’s approach reflects a broader shift in Europe’s migration debate, with some center-left governments adopting policies and rhetoric traditionally associated with conservative and right-wing parties. Analysts cited by Fox News said Frederiksen’s position illustrates how concerns over migration, integration and extremism have moved toward the center of European political debate.
Frederiksen has argued that controlling migration is necessary to protect Denmark’s welfare model and maintain social cohesion. Her government has previously introduced measures targeting so-called parallel societies and strengthened policies concerning asylum and deportation.
Her latest comments come as European governments continue to debate how to balance border security, migration management, integration and the protection of democratic values amid persistent political divisions over immigration policy.
