Venstre held its National Congress on 4–5 October in Odense, Denmark, gathering nearly 1,500 participants, including party delegates, politicians and European liberal colleagues. The event marked the kick-off for Denmark’s upcoming municipal and regional election campaign and reaffirmed Venstre’s role as a cornerstone of liberalism in Denmark.
A key outcome of the Congress was the adoption of an updated principles programme, providing a renewed statement of Venstre’s core liberal values. The programme reasserts the party’s belief in individual freedom, the rule of law, gender equality and respect for property rights, while warning that these freedoms are clearly under significant pressure - even in societies we have long regarded as beacons of liberal democracy.
Venstre’s leadership framed the text as both a reaffirmation of the party’s roots and a modern guide for fostering growth, freedom and cohesion in the years ahead.
The Congress also featured an international lunch and political discussion in cooperation with European partners, with interventions from Morten Løkkegaard MEP and Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre, who underlined Denmark’s liberal voice in Europe and beyond.
In his keynote address, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen delivered a powerful message on national and European security. He reaffirmed that “Venstre has always worked to create security out there – and safety here at home”, linking domestic well-being with Denmark’s role in global stability. Poulsen also highlighted the government’s historic commitment to defence investment, aiming for 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, strengthening Denmark’s position within NATO and Europe’s security framework.
You can read his speech in full here.
ALDE Party Vice-President Eva Kjer Hansen also shared her insights from the Congress on social media:
Photo: Venstre