Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the leaders of the three coalition parties, said the government wants to eventually ban inter-cousin marriages, in comments to broadcaster DR.
A law against marriages between cousins will take some time to prepare, they said.
"This needs to be thought through carefully. We know that marriages vary and have done so across generations, even in our own country," Frederiksen said.
"We’re now facing new challenges in our country. Some people have come from outside and use marriages to oppress,” she added.
Norway banned marriages between cousins this summer and a committee appointed by the Swedish government this week proposed a ban starting from July 2026.
The three governing parties said concerns about “social control” are behind the plan to clamp down on such marriages.
Additionally, the steps taken by neighbouring countries mean Denmark should follow suit to avoid becoming a “haven” for marriage between cousins, Moderate party spokesperson for immigration Mohammad Rona told newswire Ritzau in a written comment.
There are no official figures on the number of marriages between cousins in Denmark.
However, the actual figure is likely to be low according to Anita Johnson, director of NGO RED Center, which runs shelters for victims of violence and honour-related conflicts.
Regardless of the extent of the problem, Johnson said she supported a ban because it could help protect women against oppression and honour-related violence.
“I have a feeling that inter-marriage families are making a comeback in Denmark,” she said.
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