"When integration has failed, first and foremost it becomes clear that we either did not have the will or the ability to stand up for our values and our claim that all newcomers to Denmark have an obligation to support themselves and take our values to heart. That every one of us has to 'move a little' is a misconception. No, Denmark is the Danes' country, and here we do live by our values," Inger Støjberg wrote.
According to Støjberg, tougher requirements are needed, as it is clear that it is not the Danes themselves who must change.
"I expect that when one comes to Denmark, one becomes a breadwinner for his or her family. I also expect that one accepts the very foundations of the freedoms that generations before us have established for themselves. It means that you live in a country built on freedom, democracy and equality. On top of this foundation one can build his or her own life, but one cannot make a dent in the foundation," Støjberg wrote.
Støjberg admitted that these measures were highly unpopular, yet "totally imperative" to conveying the idea that it pays to work in Denmark. Additionally, the restrictions are meant to facilitate the way to the labor market for Muslim women, who are being held at home by their spouses.
"Only by making very firm demands we can get integration back on track in Denmark," Støjberg concluded.
#Støjberg: #Sozialhilfeempfänger sollen #umziehen oder #arbeiten https://t.co/3vAnisQOtO
— SH-UgeAvisen (@shugeavisen) October 18, 2016
"It is because we have not dared to make demands. We do now," Støjberg said, as quoted by BT.
The Danish government plans to produce a so-called "ghetto package" in early 2017, which will become the sixth of its kind since 1994.Today, the percentage of Danish citizens with foreign backgrounds exceeds 9 percent in a nation of 5.6 million. Previously, a study by Denmark's Integration Ministry revealed that only a fifth of immigrants actually feel like they're Danish.
Danish Culture Minister Bertel Haarder previously identified the five roots of being Danish as equality, freedom of speech, higher education, a working nation and, last but not least, a keen cycling culture.
Fra øst til vest. PostNord Danmark Rundt 2017 starter på Frederiksberg og slutter i… https://t.co/VFp1RKgnMj pic.twitter.com/zCotDduZUx
— Danmarks Cykle Union (@DK_Cykle_Union) November 8, 2016