Christiania and the Danish State have been in negotiations since 2004 on the implementation of the Christiania Act. The following provides an overview of the milestones in the process.
March 2004: The Christiania Committee prepares the report The future of the Christiania area – unified plan and plan of action. The report formed the basis for the adoption of Act No. 431 regarding an amendment of the Christiania Act. This was adopted on 1 June 2004 and came into force on 15 June 2004. The purpose of the Act is to lay down the framework for a new development of the Christiania area, which accommodates an alternative social structure in accordance, however, with the general rules of Danish law. The Palaces and Properties Agency has been carrying out this work since then.
May 2005: The Palaces and Properties Agency presents the report Future forms of organisation and ownership within the Christiania Area. The basis for decision was adopted after a lengthy process with the participation of among others Christiania’s negotiation group.
September 2006: Following a number of discussions on fleshing out the model with Christiania’s negotiation group, the residents’ attorney at law and KAB, the Danish state submitted a concrete offer to Christiania on 26 September 2006 for the implementation of the future forms of organisation and ownership in Christiania.
November 2006: Christiania replies with an answer that is neither a yes or a no.
December 2006: Following Christiania’s answer, the Palaces and Properties Agency entered into a dialogue with Christiania and their advisors with regard to a clarification and elaboration of the state’s offer. This leads on 22 December 2006 to an agreement on an elaboration and supplement to the offer of 26 September 2006. Christiania is given a deadline of 8 February 2007 to approve the offer including the elaboration and supplement and a deadline of 1 April 2007 to withdraw the legal action brought against the state.
February 2007: Christiania replied on 8 February 2007 that they could not make a decision as they required further clarification on the agreement. The Minister of Finance Thor Pedersen bemoans this in a letter to Christiania dated 10 February 2007.
March 2007: The Palaces and Properties Agency further clarifies the agreement, which leads to Christiania replying to the state on 31 March 2007, stating that they cannot approve the agreement as they still have significant reservations. The Minister of Finance Thor Pedersen subsequently replies to Christiania at the beginning of April 2007.
August 2007: The Palaces and Properties Agency subsequently attempts to reach a joint understanding between Christiania and the state on the implementation of the agreement of 22 December 2006, which succeeds on 24 August 2007. Christiania’s Contact Group accepts on behalf of Christiania the state’s offer of 26 September 2006 as clarified and further supplemented on 22 December 2006.
June 2008: Christiania is given a deadline of 1 July 2008 to finally accept the agreement after an implementation process. On 27 June 2008 Christiania rejects the agreement.
9 September 2008: On 9 February Christiania sends a proposal for Christiania’s future to the state. The proposal puts forward the entering into of a final agreement with the state within 14 days and the subsequent rescinding of the legal action as an out-of-court settlement. The Minister of Finance Lars Løkke Rasmussen replies in a letter dated 11 September 2008.
23 September 2008: Following a number of discussions with the Palaces and Properties Agency, Christiania makes its proposal more concrete on 23 September 2008. Based on the Palaces and Properties Agency's overall assessment, in a letter dated 30 September 2008 the Minister of Finance Lars Løkke Rasmussen refuses to begin negotiations aimed at a quick entering into of yet another complete agreement prior to the legal actions in November. The Palaces and Properties Agency’s assessment is that, among other things, the financing of Christiania’s proposal does not add up and that it is not realistic to enter into an agreement in such a short space of time based upon such a rough estimate, which is Christiania’s precondition.
Last updated:: Monday, April 19, 2010
