Poulsen, who is hoping to displace Mette Frederiksen to become Prime Minister in the March 24th election, said religion should not be the driver of Denmark's immigration rules.
“It is not the case that religion will dictate how Danish immigration policy is shaped,” Poulsen told media on Wednesday at a briefing about the Liberals’ schools policy.
“But there is a great deal that needs tightening up. I am pleased that the conservative parties have a more ambitious approach than the left-wing parties,” he said.
The comments from Poulsen come after the leader of far-right Danish People’s Party (DF), Morten Messerschmidt, said he wants Muslims to leave Denmark and will make DF’s support for a future government contingent on the demand.
“There has to be a net emigration of Muslim residents,” Messerschmidt said earlier this week.
“Is that nice? Is it politically correct? Does it win you friends at Christiansborg [parliament, ed.]? No. But it’s necessary for Denmark to stay Danish,” he meanwhile stated in a post on X in which he also said the policy was needed to stop “Danes being replaced.”
Because of the ‘bloc’ system of party alliances generally used in Danish politics, Poulsen may need the support of the far-right to lead the next government, depending on the outcome of the election.
READ ALSO: What is Danish 'bloc politics' and why is it making a comeback in the 2026 election?
Messerschmidt’s demand has been criticised by other parties including the left-wing Red Green Alliance and centrist Social Liberals (Radikale Venstre) and Moderates.
The latter party’s Minister for Higher Education and Science, Christina Egelund, called it a “fundamental breach of religious freedom,” which is guaranteed in Denmark’s constitution.
“You would have to leave the country because you are Muslim. Not because of your actions, but because of your faith,” Egelund said, adding that “other conservative parties must put their foot down” by rejecting the stance.
Poulsen also said on Wednesday that Denmark must be given more powers to forcibly deport foreign nationals convicted of criminal offences, a stance he shares with Frederiksen and the Social Democrats.
He claimed that a government consisting of ‘red bloc’ or left-leaning parties, presumably led by Frederiksen, would ease immigration rules, according to news wire Ritzau’s report of the briefing.
Frederiksen has named “restrictive immigration policies” as one of three key demands she would set in any negotiations to form a future government.
Earlier this week, the Liberals announced plans for a new five-year probationary period for people granted Danish citizenship.
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