Lars Boje Mathiesen: Why he's now standing alone in the storm
It's not the first time Lars Boje Mathiesen has made people's jaws drop. The former New Conservatives frontbencher, now sitting as an independent MP in the Danish parliament, has just launched a proposal that has both sides of politics buzzing. While parties are gearing up for the next parliamentary session, he's choosing to go his own way – and he's doing it with a directness that's become his trademark.
From party man to independent: What drives Lars Boje?
For many voters, Lars Boje Mathiesen is still the man who, alongside Pernille Vermund, sparked a centre-right revival. But since his split with the New Conservatives, he's been left standing alone on the backbenches. Yet he's managed to stay relevant. Last week he was back in the headlines, putting forward a proposal for a significant tightening of immigration policy that even had some members of the Denmark Democrats drawing a sharp breath. "Sure, I might be on my own, but I'm saying what a lot of people are thinking," he said in his latest speech to the house.
Lars Boje or Lars Bojer? A mix-up that won't go away
But it's not just his politics that's getting him noticed. On social media, he's often confused with well-known physicist and professor Lars Bojer Madsen. The latter researches quantum physics at the Technical University of Denmark and has nothing to do with Christiansborg. Yet the professor regularly receives angry emails from voters who disagree with Boje Mathiesen's views. "This is probably the closest I'll ever get to political influence," chuckled Lars Bojer Madsen recently in an interview, after yet another misdirected message. The mix-up has become a running joke in the narrative surrounding both men.
Three key issues he won't compromise on
Whether you agree with him or not, Lars Boje Mathiesen stands firm on a few sharp principles. Here are the three areas he consistently returns to in his parliamentary advocacy:
- Tough immigration policy: He believes Denmark should have the strictest laws in the Nordic region and that EU cooperation in this area should be significantly curtailed.
- Less bureaucracy: Lars Boje has repeatedly called the central administration "a security blanket" and wants to cut at least 20 per cent of the administrative layer.
- Personal responsibility: In his view, citizens should have more freedom, but also bear a greater share of the risk themselves – especially in health and social services.
What's next, Lars Boje?
The question is whether he'll continue as an independent or if he has plans to gather a new team. Rumours have swirled about possible alliances with Inger Støjberg or even a comeback in local politics. He's keeping his cards close to his chest. But when I ran into him the other day at Christiansborg, there was no doubt about his fire: "I'm here to make a difference, not to win popularity contests. If Danes want someone who dances to everyone's tune, they'll have to look elsewhere."
With that attitude, there's no doubt that Lars Boje Mathiesen – regardless of his surname – will keep giving us plenty to debate. And as long as he's stirring the pot, the rest of us will keep butting in.