Hjørring council allows “iron fields” after mayor’s rebuke

Hjørring city council has agreed that politicians may use the term “jernmarker,” or “iron fields,” during meetings, after Mayor Søren Smalbro admitted he was wrong to reprimand a councillor for saying it, DR reported.

Smalbro, of the Liberal Party, told Danmarksdemokraterne councillor Andreas Huus Andersen in August that the correct term was “solar panels” and that “iron fields” belonged in an election campaign. Andersen had used the phrase during a discussion about solar installations.

The issue was discussed at Wednesday’s council meeting, where Danmarksdemokraterne and Vendelbo-Listen argued the term should remain permitted. The council unanimously agreed.

Smalbro said it was wrong to reprimand Andersen, noting that “jernmarker” was named Danish word of the year for 2025. He said, however, that he still considers it a negative, populist term and will not use it himself.

Vendelbo-Listen councillor Erik Høgh Sørensen said the term may carry a negative tone, but that politicians should accept differing views.