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Nationale nyheder i Danmark siden 1714
Hard left seize power in DUCTU
Violence as Jørgensen wins, out-going moderate Manen spat at
Nationale nyheder i Danmark siden 1714
Hard left seize power in DUCTU
Violence as Jørgensen wins, out-going moderate Manen spat at
ELSINORE - Ny Venstre's fire-brand, Lars Jørgensen, decisively seized power in a major victory that has seen the moderate Per Manen ousted. The announcement immediately triggered violence in the emergency conference and numerous arrests.
The announcement of Jørgensen's victory was rapturously welcomed by the far-left Ny Venstre delegates who repeatedly chanted "Taber!" (loser) at Manen and his social-democratic supporters, triggering clashes between the delegates which was broadcast live on television. Per Manen, the defeated incumbent social democrat chair of DUCTU, had phlegm spat at him by a nearby women, as he rose to congratulate his opponent. Police later named the woman as Erica Dahl, a well-known communist lesbian rights activist.
The incident triggered yet more violence, this time by Manen supporters, with police and security officials struggling to hold back delegates who tried to rush onto the stage at attack the Ny Venstre executive members in revenge.
Winning by 64%, to Manen's 34% and with 2% abstaining, Jørgensen's victory is a culmination of a DK 2m campaign by the left, that included a major TV and newspaper advertising campaign and 'in the round' talks around Danmark to talk to members directly. Membership levels increased by 19%, with Ny Venstre targeting specific regions of the country that were more favourable to their message. According to the DUCTU constitution, any challenge must reach at least 55% of the total membership throughout the country.
Analysts predict that the win will likely see increased conflict between the government and DUCTU, as the unions up their campaign against the government for improved political rights, higher pay and enhanced working conditions. Jørgensen refused to rule out the formation of a broader political leftist movement to force the government's hand.
The government congratulated DUCTU on following democratic principles in the election but pointedly refused to mention Jørgensen by name.