It enters a period of intense negotiations after , which did not provide a clear governmental solution. The outgoing prime minister’s party came first but recorded its worst result since 1903, securing just 38 seats in the 179-member parliament.
The left bloc collected a total of 84 seats, compared to 77 for the right and the far right, leaving open the possibility of multiple scenarios.
The Moderates in the role of “kingmaker”
The Moderates of former Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who with 14 seats are at the center of the process, are called to play a decisive role.
He can choose to support either a left-leaning government or a right-wing coalition, or even attempt to lead a broader coalition.
Political analysts note that this is the “big winner” of the electoral contest, as it holds the final balance in its hands.
Scenarios for Frederiksen
Mette Frederiksen has already tendered her resignation, formally opening the government formation process, with Denmark’s King Frederik I tasked with leading all-party negotiations to form a new government, the Palace in Copenhagen announced today.
The head of the outgoing cabinet must determine through discussions with the other 11 parties that were elected who could be the next prime minister and form a government.
Denmark’s king has asked the leader of the Social Democrats to lead negotiations to form a new governing coalition with two left-wing parties, Reuters reported, citing a Palace statement.
Despite the electoral attrition, he remains likely to retain power if he manages to build a broader coalition involving centrist forces.
As she herself stated, the “most realistic solution” is a government that will span politically from the left to the center.
The Danes are preparing for a time-consuming process. Similar negotiations in the past have lasted weeks, while the political landscape remains highly fragmented with 12 parties in parliament.
The role of immigration and the economy
Negotiations are expected to focus on critical issues such as the economy, pensions, the environment and immigration.
The direction of the new government will largely depend on the alliance chosen:
- Cooperation with the left means more emphasis on the environment
- Approaching the right brings immigration policy to the fore
The far right is strengthened but stable
The Danish People’s Party registered a significant increase, reaching 9.1% and tripling its seats.
However, overall anti-immigration parties have maintained a steady influence of around 17% over the last 20 years.
Factors outside metropolitan Denmark
The seats from Greenland and the Faroe Islands also play an important role in the final result. While the same parliamentarians were re-elected in the Faroes, forces in favor of faster independence prevailed in Greenland.
The next Danish government remains an open case, with the balances fragile and political developments awaited with particular interest, both inside the country and in Europe.
