The Socialist People's Party (SPP) heads for a potentially tumultuous annual conference this weekend hovering at just over 6 per cent in the latest new Epinion survey for DR, the worst showing since Villy Søvndal became party leader in 2005.
At the same time, over half of all SPP's own voters - 52 per cent - believe the party has performed poorly since becoming part of the centre-left coalition in September last year, although a significant majority - 84 per cent - still believe it should still remain in government.
The SPP is riddled with internal dissent ahead of the conference, with MP's and local politicians openly questioning party policy, the new role as junior partner in the centre-left coalition, Villy Søvndal's leadership ability, tax reform, and the party's drift away from socialism.
Members have openly questioned their own tax minister, Thor Möger Pedersen's tax reform plans. A Berlingske Research survey of 164 SPP parliamentary and local council candidates shows that a significant majority, 64 per cent, believe that social benefits recipients should also benefit from the upcoming tax reform and just 32 per cent support the Minister’s intention to exclude the unemployed and students.
Greater Copenhagen MP candidate Serdal Beni summed up the rebellious mood.
"The SPP should never support any tax reform that hits the most vulnerable in our society. We need a balanced reform, in which those with the broadest shoulders contribute to those lower down the scale."
He was backed by Thea Hansen, MP candidate for East Jutland, who said Mr Pedersen should listen to the rank and file, and the far- left Red/Green Alliance, and push for a 'red' tax reform.
Mr Pedersen declined to comment on the unrest but the party's policy spokesman, Jesper Petersen, quashed any hopes of tax relief for those outside the labour market.
"The unemployed and students will be benefit from our policies in the long run because they will lead to better education and job possibilities," he said.