Denmark's digital modernization agency plans to replace Microsoft products with open-source software to reduce dependence on U.S. tech firms. In an interview with Politiken, Minister for Digitalisation Caroline Stage Olsen confirmed that over half of the ministry's staff will switch from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice next month, with a full transition by year's end.

Stage told the newspaper that if all goes as planned, all employees will be on an open-source solution during the autumn. The move would also help the ministry avoid the expense of managing outdated Windows 10 systems, which will lose official support in October. LibreOffice, developed by the Berlin-based non-profit The Document Foundation, includes tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, databases, and formula editing.

The ministry's decision follows similar moves by Denmark's two largest municipalities, Copenhagen and Aarhus, which previously announced plans to abandon Microsoft software, citing financial concerns, market dominance and political tensions with Washington. Henrik Appel Espersen, chair of Copenhagen's audit committee, told Politiken the move was driven by cost concerns and Microsoft's strong grip on the market. He also cited tensions between the U.S. and Denmark during Donald Trump's presidency, which sparked debate about data protection and reducing reliance on foreign technology.