Mette Frederiksen Holds On to Power in Denmark
Despite a difficult election, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has managed to hold onto power. Even though her Social Democratic party suffered its worst defeat in over a century, they still managed to secure the most votes. This victory came after an uneasy winter where Frederiksen faced off with the U.S. President over his plans to take control of Greenland, a territory under Danish self-rule.
Negotiating a Path to Power
The Social Democrats, who lead Denmark's left-leaning "red bloc" of parties, now have the task of persuading a seasoned politician known for his pipe-smoking and unconventional toothpaste to let them continue their reign. This centrist leader will play a key role in whether the Social Democrats secure a third term after post-election negotiations.
"I'm obviously disappointed that we've lost ground. But I think it's an acceptable result," Frederiksen admitted at a post-election event. She affirmed her intention to stay on as prime minister, but acknowledged the challenges she faces in forming a new government. She mentioned having been in communication with "several" party leaders already.
A Broader Picture
Despite the difficulties, Frederiksen's situation in Denmark mirrors a larger trend across Europe. Left-leaning parties are showing signs of resilience in the face of right-wing politics. In recent elections in Spain, France, Slovenia, and now Denmark, it appears that standing up against right-wing politics could be a successful strategy.
Frederiksen triggered an early election after her popularity increased following her confrontation with the U.S. President over his attempted acquisition of Greenland. Her party, which advocates for higher taxes on the wealthy and takes a strong stance on immigration, won just under 22% of the vote. While her "red bloc" failed to secure the 90 seats required for a majority, they did manage to win 84 seats, outdoing their right-leaning competitors, who secured 77 seats total.
Coalition Talks to Begin
Now, the complex process of forming a coalition government will start, with the future of Denmark likely depending on which way the centrist leader decides to swing. His party has enough seats to either hand power to Frederiksen or to the right-leaning party's leader.
The leader of the centrist party called on both Frederiksen and the right-leaning party's leader to "drop the trench warfare" after a campaign season filled with attacks on each other. He tried to persuade them to join forces saying, "Come down and join us. You’re standing out by the corner flags; we’re in the middle. Come and play with us."
However, the leader of the right-leaning party has refused to form a government with Frederiksen again, instead reaching out to the centrist leader to establish a conservative government.
Difficult Negotiations Ahead
Coalition negotiations will likely be complicated. After the previous parliamentary election, it took 42 days to form a government, and the situation this time seems even more complex. The Red-Green Alliance, a part of Frederiksen's bloc, announced that it will not join any government unless it is strictly left-leaning, potentially excluding the centrist party.
The leader of the Green Left, another party in the "red bloc", indicated that all options — red, blue or broad government — remain on the table, but warned that coalition talks "will be tricky."
The right-wing populist party expressed its intention to make the coalition formation process as challenging as possible for Frederiksen and the centrist leader, with its leader calling on the "blue bloc" to "stand together."
Mette Frederiksen's Political Journey
Frederiksen first came to power in 2019, leading the Social Democrats back into government and taking over from a right-leaning administration. After winning reelection in 2022, she formed a broad, cross-party government with the right-leaning party and the centrist party.
Known for her tough stance on immigration and her commitment to the Social Democratic economic and social welfare agenda, Frederiksen's tenure as prime minister has not been without controversy. Most notably, her government faced heavy criticism for ordering the mass culling of mink without legal authority, as the animals were suspected of harboring the Covid-19 virus during the pandemic.