How the Danish People's Party Maintains Respectability in the European Political Landscape

The Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti, DF) has managed to carve out a more respectable image compared to other European rightist parties, largely due to their success in gaining voter support from older political parties that have since adopted their policies. This shift has made DF appear more respectable because they are aligning with policies once seen as acceptable by mainstream parties.

Grace of Danish Political Culture

Much of this respectability can be attributed to the overall healthy political culture in Denmark. While DF does deviate from the norms of propriety in Denmark, the bar for such standards is much higher than in some countries stepping away from communism. It’s important to note that despite their policies, DF members are not particularly magnanimous or open-minded when compared to others. Their flaws would be much more glaring if they were as xenophobic as some other European parties.

DF has previously shown disregard for the Danish constitution, the European treaties to which Denmark is legally bound, and human rights conventions. They are also not above abusing EU funding, much like other populists. However, the question here is not about the extremity of their actions but rather their impact within the context of other European parties.

Prediction and Political History

It is important to recognize that DF is not inherently a respectable party. In terms of its domestic political context, DF will likely never fully integrate into the established political system as smoothly as predicted. However, for DF to reach the authoritarian levels seen in parties like Fidesz (Orban) or Golden Dawn in Greece, it would require an unprecedented collapse of the Danish constitutional state and political norms - something not witnessed since Estrup's authoritarianism. Building a healthy political culture takes years, and while small transgressions can be tolerated, they do have consequences if they are continually accepted.

Historical Perspective and Modern Policies

DF saw the writing on the wall almost forty years ago regarding the dangers of unchecked immigration from diverse cultures. They were consistently labeled as racists and neo-Nazis for warning about these issues. However, their predictions have now been proven correct. Their stance on immigration is much more moderate compared to parties like the National Front in France or Alternative for Germany. The only significant "rightist" viewpoint DF maintains is that immigrants must assimilate or leave.

This centrist approach has allowed DF to work collaboratively with the Social Democratic party, further spreading their message and softening their image. Their policies have softened over the years, making them more palatable to the broader Danish electorate, contributing to their political success and respectability.

In conclusion, the Danish People's Party manages to stand as a more respectable party in the European context due to their strategic political moves and the inherent respectability of Danish political culture. Their policies might not align with traditional respectability standards but, in the current political climate, they have managed to present themselves as a more moderate and acceptable alternative to other rightist parties.