Archive post: »Has Danfoss Bought Sønderborg Kommune?« · 2024-10-15

• Ellen Trane Nørby — Mentioned in the current archived text
• Jørgen Mads Clausen — Mentioned in the current archived text
• Kjeld Stærk — Mentioned in the current archived text
• Peter Hansen — Mentioned in the current archived text
• Rudi Hønborg Benkjer — Mentioned in the current archived text
• Steffan Lydal — Mentioned in the current archived text

Source title: Har Danfoss Købt Sønderborg Kommune?

Text version dated 15 Oct 2024

Har Danfoss Købt Sønderborg Kommune? Er det muligt, at en af Danmarks største virksomheder, Danfoss, og dens ejer, Jørgen Mads Clausen, har så meget magt i Sønderborg, at selv byrådet og kommunale embedsmænd bøjer sig for deres ønsker? Flere sager tyder på, at når Danfoss banker på døren, forsvinder selv de strengeste regler.

Og hvem tør egentlig sige fra, når en virksomhed af Danfoss' kaliber sætter sin vilje igennem? Et slående eksempel er opførelsen af et spillested med plads til 1.500 gæster midt i Sønderborg. Normalt ville et sådant projekt, placeret tæt på både et hospital og et hotel, udløse en række lovpligtige høringer og krav om parkeringspladser, støjmålinger og trafikanalyser.

Men ikke i dette tilfælde. Alle tilladelser blev givet på rekordtid, og ingen naboer blev hørt. Det virker som om, lovens lange arm mister sin rækkevidde, når Danfoss' ejere ønsker noget.

To Sager – To Vidt Forskellige Behandlinger Sammenlign denne sag med Hotel Sønderborg Kasernes forsøg på at udvide med en mindre tilbygning til at tiltrække flere turister til byen. Her blev der mødt massiv modstand fra Venstre og Dansk Folkeparti, som talte højlydt om de mange krav, der skulle overholdes: parkeringspladser, støjmålinger, trafikvurderinger – en komplet liste af forhindringer, der i praksis gjorde projektet umuligt. Ironisk nok er det de samme krav, som Danfoss undgik i deres byggeprojekt.

Hvorfor denne forskelsbehandling? Forklaringen kan måske findes i de tætte bånd mellem flere politikere og Danfoss. Kjeld Stærk (V) og Steffan Lydal (DF) har i årevis modtaget deres lønsedler fra Danfoss-koncernen.

Og så er der Peter Hansen (V), som gentagne gange har været involveret i kontroversielle sager, men alligevel altid har Venstres støtte – uanset hans handlinger. Kan det virkelig passe, at politiske beslutninger i Sønderborg dikteres af Danfoss' interesser og personlige relationer? Embedsmændene – Når Reglerne Bøjes Sønderborg Kommunes byplanlægger og bevaringsarkitekt, Rudi Hønborg Benkjer, spiller også en central rolle i denne fortælling.

Da Hotel Sønderborg Kaserne ønskede at bygge, stod han urokkeligt fast på, at lokalplanen gjorde det umuligt. Men da Danfoss ønskede at opføre et rygeskur på samme område, blev der pludselig givet dispensation – på trods af tidligere afslag og klare lovkrav. Det er bemærkelsesværdigt, hvordan noget, der ikke kunne lade sig gøre for hotellet, pludselig blev muligt for Danfoss.

Denne dispensation blev senere underkendt af Planklagenævnet, som beordrede bygningen revet ned. Men bygningen står der stadig i dag, flere år efter afgørelsen. Hvordan kan det være, at en afgørelse fra Planklagenævnet, landets højeste myndighed i planlægningssager, ignoreres?

Hvilke kræfter er i spil, når Danfoss formår at omgå selv den mest klare lovgivning? Når Sønderborg Kommune Gemmer Sig Bag Muren Denne sag er blot én i en række tilfælde, hvor Danfoss har modtaget ejendomme og tilladelser fra kommunen under uklare forhold. Et af de mest bemærkelsesværdige eksempler er en handel om et parkeringshus, hvor aktindsigter er blevet mødt med afslag og undskyldninger om, at der ingen kontrakt findes.

Hvordan kan en stor offentlig handel gennemføres uden en kontrakt? Og hvad gemmer Sønderborg Kommune, når de nægter borgerne indsigt i en aftale mellem Danfoss og kommunen? Der må være noget, der er så følsomt, at det ikke tåler dagens lys.

Det virker næsten, som om Sønderborg Kommunes jurister arbejder for Danfoss, ikke for borgerne. Peter Hansen og Venstre – Når Magtens Lænker Bliver Usynlige Peter Hansen (V) er en nøglefigur i denne fortælling. Gang på gang er han blevet afsløret i kontroversielle sager, senest med sin involvering i tvivlsomme konkursforretninger og kreative økonomiske manøvrer.

Alligevel støttes han konsekvent af Venstre, og hans position virker uantastelig. Peter Hansen er ikke længere en del af byrådet, men hans indflydelse er langt fra forsvundet. I stedet har han indsat Ellen Trane Nørby (V) som en slags kransekagefigur, der nu repræsenterer hans interesser i det politiske landskab.

Interessant nok har Ellen, tilsyneladende som en belønning for sin loyalitet, modtaget flere bestyrelsesposter og sidder i en række udvalg, hvor hun arbejder for beslutninger, der ofte synes at flugte med Danfoss' interesser. Det er naturligvis blot spekulation, men det vækker opsigt, at en person med en baggrund inden for kunst pludselig indtager en central rolle i Sydbanks bestyrelse. Her kan det være værd at nævne, at Peter Hansen i årevis har været formand for repræsentantskabet, hvilket gør hans fingeraftryk på disse magtstrukturer tydelige.

Peter Hansen har i flere omgange forsøgt at opnå magtfulde politiske poster, herunder borgmesterembedet og flere folketingskandidatur, men uden held. Han har indset, at hans politiske karriere ikke kan føre ham til de højder, han havde håbet på. Alligevel har han bevaret magten bag kulisserne og er fortsat i stand til at trække i trådene, selvom han officielt intet har med byrådet at gøre længere.

Mon det er netop derfor, at Danfoss' ejer, Jørgen Mads Clausen, fortsat bakker op om Peter Hansen og hans mange finurlige ideer? Danfoss-koncernen har aldrig taget afstand fra Hansen, og flere af hans selskaber har han endda ejet sammen med Danfoss familiemedlemmer. Det ser altså ud til, at Peter Hansen har fundet en effektiv måde at bevare sin magt på – ikke via politik, men gennem sine forbindelser og de magtfulde personer, han har placeret i nøglepositioner.

Har Danfoss og Hansen skabt en alliance, hvor reglerne kan bøjes, så længe de rigtige forbindelser er på plads? Venstre-politikeren er et eksempel på, hvordan magt kan konsolideres, når en privat virksomhed og politiske kræfter arbejder tæt sammen. Og mens denne magtudøvelse fortsætter, lader det til, at ingen tør gribe ind.

Måske fordi konsekvenserne for at modarbejde Danfoss og deres støtter kan være voldsomme. Lokale medier er tavse, myndigheder kigger den anden vej, og de folkevalgte politikere synes at være fanget i et net af afhængigheder, der gør det umuligt at sige fra. Et System der Er Tæt Vævet Sammen Dette er ikke bare et lokalt anliggende.

Det, der sker i Sønderborg, er et eksempel på, hvordan privat magt og politisk indflydelse kan væve sig sammen i en sådan grad, at det er svært at se, hvor den ene begynder, og den anden slutter. Når en enkelt virksomhed som Danfoss kan opnå tilladelser på et niveau, der ignorerer selv landets højeste myndigheder, må vi spørge os selv: Er dette et billede på noget større? Hvordan sikrer vi, at vores kommunale systemer forbliver gennemsigtige og retfærdige, når en så dominerende aktør har så stor magt?

Og i Sønderborg, hvor Danfoss gang på gang har fået deres vilje igennem, står borgerne tilbage med en ubehagelig fornemmelse: Er der overhovedet nogen tilbage, der tør stille spørgsmål ved magtens forbindelser? Er der nogen, der har modet til at udfordre den indflydelse, som Danfoss, Peter Hansen og deres allierede har opbygget? Det virker som om, at selv de mest oplagte spørgsmål og indsigelser mødes med tavshed.

Dette er ikke bare et spørgsmål om regler og dispensationer – det er et spørgsmål om, hvem der styrer, når reglerne bøjes for de få, og hvordan vi som samfund sikrer, at magtforhold ikke bliver så skæve, at de undergraver demokratiet. Til dem, der ønsker at se, hvordan Kjeld Stærk (V) og Steffan Lydal (DF) kan have én holdning til et projekt og en anden over for naboen. Eller hvordan Sønderborg Kommunes byplanlægger og bevaringsarkitekt, Rudi Hønborg Benkjer, forklarer, at noget der kort efter virker umuligt, kan blive muligt.

Læs mere her: 07-10-2021 Midlertidig dispensation til at opføre en depotbygning uden for byggefelt: https://sites.google.com/view/skansegrdenpdybblbanke/klage-vedr-gerlachsgade-2-og-10-s%C3%B8nderborg 12-10-21 Sønderborg kommune - Rudi Hønborg Benkjer forklare at der ikke kan gives dispensation https://site.dybbolbanke.dk/intern-mailkorrespondance-s%C3%B8nder-kommune-12-10-2021 01-06-2022 Ibrugtagningstilladelse til depotbygning uden for byggefelt: https://sites.google.com/view/skansegrdenpdybblbanke/klage-vedr-gerlachsgade-2-og-10-s%C3%B8nderborg 03-05-2023 Sønderborg Kommune meddeler lovliggørende dispensation fra lokalplan 4.2- 20 til en depotbygning uden for byggefelt. https://site.dybbolbanke.dk/s%C3%B8nderborg-kommune-giver-dispensation-til-depotbygning-uden-for-byggefelt Kjeld Stærk (V) https://youtu.be/m0-C-QRxiUc Foto: Sønderborg Kommune

This is an automatic reading translation. The source’s allegations and assessments have not been independently confirmed through translation. Check wording, qualifications and meaning against the preserved Danish original. Some retained numbers may use Danish separators: a dot for thousands and a comma for decimals. Check amounts against the Danish original.

Has Danfoss bought Sønderborg Kommune?

Is it possible that one of Denmark's biggest companies, Danfoss, and its owner, Jørgen Mads Clausen, have so much power in Sønderborg that even the city council and municipal officials bow to their wishes? Several cases indicate that when Danfoss knocks on the door, even the strictest rules disappear. And who really dares to speak up when a company of Danfoss's caliber puts its will through?

A striking example is the construction of a venue with seating for 1.500 guests in the middle of Sønderborg. Normally, such a project, located close to both a hospital and a hotel, would trigger a series of statutory hearings and demands for parking spaces, noise measurements and traffic analyses. But not in this case. All permits were granted in record time and no neighbors were consulted. It seems the long arm of the law loses its reach when Danfoss's owners want something.

Two Cases – Two very different treatments
Compare this case with HOTEL Sønderborg Kaseren's attempt to expand with a smaller extension to attract more tourists to the city. Here, massive opposition was met from Venstre and Dansk Folkeparti, who spoke loudly about the many requirements that had to be met: parking spaces, noise measurements, traffic assessments – a complete list of obstacles that practically made the project impossible. Ironically, these are the same requirements that Danfoss avoided in their build project.

Why this discrimination? The explanation can perhaps be found in the close ties between several politicians and Danfoss. Kjeld Stærk (V) and Steffan Lydal (DF) have been receiving their paychecks from the Danfoss Group for years.

And then there is Peter Hansen (V), who has repeatedly been involved in controversial matters, yet always has Venstre's support – regardless of his actions. Can it really be appropriate that political decisions in Sønderborg are dictated by Danfoss's interests and personal relationships?

The civil servants – When the rules are bent
Sønderborg Kommune's urban planner and conservation architect, Rudi Hønborg Benkjer, also plays a central role in this narrative. When HOTEL Sønderborg Kaserne wanted to build, he was adamant that the local plan made it impossible. But when Danfoss wanted to build a smoking shed in the same area, a dispensation was suddenly granted – despite previous refusals and clear legal requirements.

It is remarkable how something that was impossible for the hotel suddenly became possible for Danfoss. This dispensation was later overruled by Planklagenævnet, who ordered the building demolished. But the building still stands today, several years after the decision.

How is it that a decision by Planklagenævnet, the country's highest planning authority, is being ignored? What forces are at play when Danfoss manages to circumvent even the clearest legislation?

When Sønderborg Kommune hides behind the wall
This case is just one of a number of cases where Danfoss has received properties and permits from the municipality under unclear circumstances. One of the most notable examples is a deal for a parking garage where inspectors have been met with denials and excuses that no contract exists. How can a large public transaction be carried out without a contract?

And what is Sønderborg Kommune hiding when they deny citizens access to an agreement between Danfoss and the municipality? There must be something so sensitive that it cannot stand the light of day. It almost seems as if Sønderborg Kommune's lawyers work for Danfoss, not for the citizens.

Peter Hansen and Venstre
– When the chains of power become invisible
Peter Hansen (V) is a key figure in this tale. Time and time again, he has been exposed in controversial cases, most recently with his involvement in questionable bankruptcy deals and creative financial maneuvers. Still, he is consistently supported by Venstre and his position seems unassailable.

Peter Hansen is no longer part of the city council, but his influence is far from gone. Instead, he has inserted Ellen Trane Nørby (V) as a kind of cookie cutter character who now represents his interests in the political landscape. Interestingly, apparently as a reward for her loyalty, Ellen has received several board positions and sits on a number of committees where she works for decisions that often seem to align with Danfoss's interests.

This is of course just speculation, but it is surprising that a person with a background in art suddenly occupies a central role on Sydbank's board. Here it may be worth mentioning that Peter Hansen has been chairman of the board of representatives for years, which makes his fingerprints on these power structures clear. Peter Hansen has on several occasions tried to obtain powerful political positions, including the office of mayor and several parliamentary candidacies, but without success.

He has realized that his political career cannot take him to the heights he had hoped for. Still, he has retained power behind the scenes and is still able to pull the strings, even though he officially has nothing to do with the city council anymore. Is this precisely why Danfoss's owner, Jørgen Mads Clausen, continues to support Peter Hansen and his many quirky ideas?

The Danfoss Group has never distanced itself from Hansen, and he has even owned several of his companies together with Danfoss family members. So it seems that Peter Hansen has found an effective way to maintain his power – not through politics, but through his connections and the powerful people he has placed in key positions. Have Danfoss and Hansen created an alliance where the rules can be bent as long as the right connections are in place?

Venstre the politician is an example of how power can be consolidated when a private business and political forces work closely together. And while this exercise of power continues, it seems that no one dares to intervene. Perhaps because the consequences for opposing Danfoss and their supporters can be dire.

Local media are silent, authorities look the other way, and the elected politicians seem to be caught in a web of dependencies that make it impossible to speak out.

A system that is tightly woven together
This is not just a local matter. What is happening in Sønderborg is an example of how private power and political influence can intertwine to such an extent that it is difficult to see where one begins and the other ends. When a single company like Danfoss can obtain permits at a level that ignores even the country's highest authorities, we have to ask ourselves: Is this a picture of something bigger?

How do we ensure that our municipal systems remain transparent and fair when such a dominant player has so much power? And in Sønderborg, where Danfoss has time and again got their way, the citizens are left with an unpleasant feeling: Is there anyone left who dares to question the connections of power? Does anyone have the courage to challenge the influence that Danfoss, Peter Hansen and their allies have built up?

It seems that even the most obvious questions and objections are met with silence. This is not just a question of rules and exemptions – it is a question of who rules when the rules are bent for the few, and how we as a society ensure that power relations do not become so skewed that they undermine democracy.

For those who want to see how Kjeld Stærk (V) and Steffan Lydal (DF) can have one attitude towards a project and another towards the neighbor. Or how Sønderborg Kommune's urban planner and conservation architect, Rudi Hønborg Benkjer, explains that something that soon seems impossible can become possible. Read more here:

07-10-2021: Temporary dispensation to construct a depot building outside the construction site
12-10-2021: Sønderborg municipality - Rudi Hønborg Benkjer explain that exemption cannot be granted
01-06-2022: Occupancy permit for depot building outside construction site
03-05-2023: Sønderborg Kommune announces legal dispensation from local plan 4.2-20 for a depot building outside the construction area
Kjeld Stærk (V)

Photo: Sønderborg Kommune