Two prominent members of the Socialist People’s Party – former Leader Holger Nielsen and former Group Chairman Aage Frandsen – are criticising their party fellows this morning after this weekend’s many expressions of support for Health Minister Astrid Krag in the party’s leadership race.

“People should wait for the process that will not start until after the national board’s meeting Monday. It’s a bit strange that a lot of people are being suggested at a time when there are no candidates yet,” says Holger Nielsen.

The weekend discussions about who should take over from Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal as party leader came following the announcement on her Facebook profile by Environment Minister Ida Auken that she was not to be a candidate for the post.

In the wake of that announcement, several senior party members have pointed to Krag.

“No matter who it is, party democracy must be given the chance to work in a proper process until we know who will be standing for election…. It is untimely to give the impression that a single candidate is to be acclaimed,” Nielsen says.

Frandsen, seen by many as the party’s grey eminence, says it is vital that party rank and file do not feel bulldozered.

Party Board Member Trine Mach says the weekend antics have been clumsy, and urges people to wait until the list of candidates is available.

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