Region Syddanmark leader backs removal of deputy chair roles from independent politician

The chair of Region Syddanmark’s council has signalled support for stripping Cecilie Liv Hansen of her deputy chair positions, which could now be reassigned to her former party, Liberal Alliance, DR reports.

A regional council vote on Monday will decide whether Hansen—elected as a Liberal Alliance member but later expelled—should retain her roles as deputy chair of the region’s executive committee and the Lillebælt Health Council. The party’s sole remaining regional representative, Bettina Eriksen, has claimed the posts, arguing they were secured through Liberal Alliance’s two seats in negotiations.

“Based on Liberal Alliance’s two mandates, I negotiated these positions on election night,” Eriksen said. “Therefore, I believe the executive committee role should still belong to the party.”

Regional council chair Bo Libergren (Conservative) indicated preliminary agreement, stating: “My immediate view is that Liberal Alliance should hold the executive committee seat. This is a new provision in regional law, so it’s a case without precedent.”

Hansen, now an independent after her expulsion over disputed private matters, also serves in Kolding City Council and the Danish parliament. She has not responded to DR’s request for comment. The council’s deputy chair, Mette With Hagensen (Social Democrats), declined to comment.