Denmark is moving to phase out Microsoft Office in favor of LibreOffice across its public sector in a bid to strengthen its digital sovereignty. The government’s decision reflects a wider push across the European Union to reclaim control over national data and digital infrastructure by reducing dependence on foreign—particularly American—technology providers.
The move, announced by Denmark’s Minister of Digitalization, Caroline Stage, underscores growing political and security concerns in Europe about potential risks tied to the use of U.S.-based software and cloud platforms.
A Strategic Pivot for Digital Sovereignty
Digital sovereignty, a term gaining traction across the EU, refers to the ability of states to control their own data, digital infrastructure, and technological standards. The EU has increasingly emphasized its importance in recent years, as geopolitical tensions and sanctions have demonstrated the potential vulnerabilities in relying on foreign-controlled digital services.
Denmark’s shift is not simply a matter of cost-cutting or preference for open-source tools; it’s a strategic response to growing fears that critical digital services could be interrupted due to foreign political influence.
ICC Controversy Fuels Concern
Concerns over foreign control of digital services intensified after the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced difficulties reportedly related to Microsoft services. This followed U.S. sanctions against the ICC after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials. Media reports suggested that ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan temporarily lost access to his Microsoft-hosted email, although Microsoft denied involvement and said it had not played a role in service disruptions.
While details remain unclear, the episode raised alarms across the EU. The possibility—however remote—that political decisions in the U.S. could influence access to essential digital tools has pushed European governments to reconsider their software dependencies.
Danish Cities Already Ahead of the Curve
Long before the national government acted, Denmark’s two largest cities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, had already announced plans to move away from Microsoft products. Their local efforts focused on concerns about security, rising costs, and the importance of ensuring critical public services remain operational regardless of international developments.
For example, between 2018 and 2023, the cost of Microsoft software for Copenhagen increased from 313 million kroner to 538 million kroner (around $53 million), a 72% rise that highlighted the financial burden of staying locked into proprietary systems.
Warning from Denmark’s Emergency Ministry
Torsten Schack Pedersen, Denmark’s Minister of Emergency Situations, has advised both government bodies and private companies to begin reducing their reliance on U.S.-based cloud platforms. In previous public statements, he has emphasized the importance of developing exit strategies from foreign services and ensuring national ownership of data. These recommendations reflect growing unease about potential disruptions to essential IT infrastructure in the event of political or diplomatic conflict.
Denmark’s geopolitical situation adds urgency to these measures. Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, has been the subject of past U.S. interest, and tensions over Arctic sovereignty have contributed to Danish concerns about external influence over its digital systems.
A Broader European Trend
Denmark is not alone in this push. The European Union as a whole has been taking steps toward reducing reliance on American tech firms. Bart Groothuis, a Dutch member of the European Parliament, has advocated for a “European cloud” and warned that the current level of dependence on U.S. platforms poses long-term risks.
In recent years, EU policy documents have emphasized the need to develop domestic technology alternatives, fund open-source software projects, and establish stricter rules for handling sensitive public data within European borders.
Not Without Skepticism
Despite growing support for digital independence, some Danish officials and IT leaders remain skeptical about fully abandoning Microsoft products. Mette Harbo, IT director for the Capital Region of Denmark, has expressed doubts about the feasibility of making a complete transition, citing the deep integration of Microsoft tools in public sector operations.
The transition to open-source tools like LibreOffice, NextCloud, and Linux will require extensive investment in training, systems migration, and user support. Danish officials acknowledge that the process will be gradual and may involve technical challenges.
