A new study from the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) highlights an intriguing side effect of holding power in Denmark: government politicians tend to use more complex language, making their communication harder to understand than that of their opposition counterparts.
Politicians’ language becomes more intricate in office
The research, led by political scientist Frederik Hjorth, reveals that once politicians enter government, their language shifts noticeably. According to Hjorth, this is not due to personal choice or rhetorical training, but rather to the demands and constraints that come with ministerial responsibilities.
“We see that politicians in government use more complex language than their colleagues in opposition — and it’s not because they want to, but because they have to,” Hjorth explained.
Roles and responsibilities force more precise — but less accessible — speech
The study suggests that it is primarily the institutional role that shapes this change. Ministers often must address complicated topics and ensure their statements are legally and technically precise. As Hjorth noted: “It’s not that they don’t want to speak clearly — but their role forces them to talk about difficult matters in a precise way.”
This aligns with broader observations across European governments, where political communication tends to become less accessible when officials are bound by accountability, complex policy frameworks, and the need to avoid legal misinterpretations.
Broader context: transparency and trust
The findings come at a time when public trust in politicians and the clarity of their communication are under scrutiny throughout Europe. In Denmark, known for its strong democratic institutions and relatively high levels of public trust, such dynamics raise important questions about transparency and citizen engagement.
Experts suggest that while technical language may be unavoidable, governments should still strive to balance precision with understandability, to maintain an informed electorate.
