The Danish People’s Party is threatening the government’s educational grant and early pension reforms if it does not increase to 28 the age at which Danes can marry foreign spouses and bring them to Denmark, according to Berlingske Tidende.

The DPP has called for an increase to 28 years of age of current rules stipulating that Danish nationals must be at least 24 before a marriage to a foreign spouse enables a family reunion, but that dispensations should apply for western nationalities.

“It will be one complex (Ed: of reforms). Particularly because we face a lot of tasks this autumn. And an election is looming in which we have to present our views to the electorate,” says DPP Leader Pia Kjærsgaard.

The government, however, appears unwilling to link the issues.

The coalition Conservative Party has rejected the notion of an increase to 28 years of age. The coalition Liberal Party says the issues cannot be linked together.

“The two issues are not linked. Educational grant and early retirement reforms are necessary to maintain welfare in the long run. And I cannot imagine that the Danish People’s Party will block us in maintaining welfare,” Liberal Deputy Chairman Kristian Jensen tells Berlingske Tidende.