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What to Know About Denmark’s Election What to Know About Denmark’s Election
(about 3 hours later)
Denmark started voting on Tuesday in a general election precipitated by anger over a government-mandated mink cull during the pandemic that embroiled top officials and led to accusations against the prime minister of misleading the public.Denmark started voting on Tuesday in a general election precipitated by anger over a government-mandated mink cull during the pandemic that embroiled top officials and led to accusations against the prime minister of misleading the public.
A wealthy Scandinavian kingdom that includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Denmark is known for its relatively stable, consensus-seeking political culture and its ranking as one of the happiest nations in the world.A wealthy Scandinavian kingdom that includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Denmark is known for its relatively stable, consensus-seeking political culture and its ranking as one of the happiest nations in the world.
But in a crowded field of more than a dozen parties — including some newcomers — analysts said that the election could throw up some surprises. As late as Monday, there was no clear indication about who was most likely to form the next government.But in a crowded field of more than a dozen parties — including some newcomers — analysts said that the election could throw up some surprises. As late as Monday, there was no clear indication about who was most likely to form the next government.
The vote has its beginnings in a government decision to cull the country’s mink population during the pandemic over fears that a mutated version of the coronavirus that infected the animals could make a vaccine less effective. The culling was a fiasco that prompted a political crisis.The vote has its beginnings in a government decision to cull the country’s mink population during the pandemic over fears that a mutated version of the coronavirus that infected the animals could make a vaccine less effective. The culling was a fiasco that prompted a political crisis.
The order, which led to the killing of some 17 million animals — essentially stoppering the mink industry in a country that had been the world’s top producer of the lucrative pelts — caused uproar. A commission that later investigated the scandal concluded this summer that the move had been illegal and blamed senior officials for misleading the public.The order, which led to the killing of some 17 million animals — essentially stoppering the mink industry in a country that had been the world’s top producer of the lucrative pelts — caused uproar. A commission that later investigated the scandal concluded this summer that the move had been illegal and blamed senior officials for misleading the public.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen apologized to the country’s mink farmers, while maintaining that the cull was necessary. But the affair damaged the government’s popularity and prompted the Social Liberals, a key ally of Ms. Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, to pressure the prime minister to either call an early election or face a vote of no confidence.Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen apologized to the country’s mink farmers, while maintaining that the cull was necessary. But the affair damaged the government’s popularity and prompted the Social Liberals, a key ally of Ms. Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, to pressure the prime minister to either call an early election or face a vote of no confidence.
In early October, Ms. Frederiksen set Nov. 1. as the date for the general election. (That date fell on a day of public remembrance in the Faroe Islands for those who have died at sea, so residents there voted on Monday instead.)In early October, Ms. Frederiksen set Nov. 1. as the date for the general election. (That date fell on a day of public remembrance in the Faroe Islands for those who have died at sea, so residents there voted on Monday instead.)
In the Danish parliamentary democracy, no party on its own has won a clear majority of the 179 seats that make up Parliament, called the Folketing, in more than a century. As such, to pass legislation, parties must form coalitions, with the leader of one of the stronger parties typically becoming prime minister.In the Danish parliamentary democracy, no party on its own has won a clear majority of the 179 seats that make up Parliament, called the Folketing, in more than a century. As such, to pass legislation, parties must form coalitions, with the leader of one of the stronger parties typically becoming prime minister.
Currently, the center-left Social Democrats, led by Ms. Frederiksen, are in power, with the backing of several other parties. Elections are held every four years, though the country’s prime minister can call early elections at any time.Currently, the center-left Social Democrats, led by Ms. Frederiksen, are in power, with the backing of several other parties. Elections are held every four years, though the country’s prime minister can call early elections at any time.
Broadly speaking, the left-leaning parties are socially liberal and support higher welfare payments and higher taxes, though they have moved to the right on issues such as immigration, and they have been willing to negotiate with more conservative parties.
The right-leaning parties are less unified but generally support free-market ideals. They have worked with anti-immigration, populist parties to some extent, but they disavow the more extremist right-wing sections of the political spectrum.
As in many other places, domestic issues have risen to the top of the agenda, political analysts say. Voters are worried about the economy, including inflation, labor shortages and lagging salaries, particularly in the health care system. And they are concerned about the environment and climate change policy.As in many other places, domestic issues have risen to the top of the agenda, political analysts say. Voters are worried about the economy, including inflation, labor shortages and lagging salaries, particularly in the health care system. And they are concerned about the environment and climate change policy.
Less important have been issues of foreign policy, including the war in Ukraine. The government has announced increases in military spending and veered from its traditional hesitation over joining European security and defense policy since the war began. That will stay the same regardless of the election result, experts say.Less important have been issues of foreign policy, including the war in Ukraine. The government has announced increases in military spending and veered from its traditional hesitation over joining European security and defense policy since the war began. That will stay the same regardless of the election result, experts say.
“Nothing outside Denmark’s borders has any influence on what Danes will vote on Tuesday,” said Jesper Claus Larsen, an election analyst for Electica, a research organization. “Local issues matter a lot to us,” he added.“Nothing outside Denmark’s borders has any influence on what Danes will vote on Tuesday,” said Jesper Claus Larsen, an election analyst for Electica, a research organization. “Local issues matter a lot to us,” he added.
Once pivotal, immigration has fallen down the agenda, partly because the governing Social Democrats have vowed to remain tough on migration, depriving right-leaning parties of a possible issue, said Kasper M. Hansen, a professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen.Once pivotal, immigration has fallen down the agenda, partly because the governing Social Democrats have vowed to remain tough on migration, depriving right-leaning parties of a possible issue, said Kasper M. Hansen, a professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen.
Denmark, which has some of the toughest anti-immigration laws in Europe, passed legislation that offered Ukrainian refugees expedited residency. But that left many pointing out the contrast with how Denmark has treated asylum seekers from Syria, who have languished for months in deportation centers.Denmark, which has some of the toughest anti-immigration laws in Europe, passed legislation that offered Ukrainian refugees expedited residency. But that left many pointing out the contrast with how Denmark has treated asylum seekers from Syria, who have languished for months in deportation centers.
Generally, the main parties have navigated around major disagreements on key subjects, Professor Hansen said, with the system promoting the need to find consensus. “They’ve really been good at putting these issues to bed,” he noted. Perhaps one upshot of that in this election, however, is that the personalities of the leaders have come to the fore.Generally, the main parties have navigated around major disagreements on key subjects, Professor Hansen said, with the system promoting the need to find consensus. “They’ve really been good at putting these issues to bed,” he noted. Perhaps one upshot of that in this election, however, is that the personalities of the leaders have come to the fore.
Though the electorate will ostensibly vote for a party, analysts say that it will really come down to which leader they prefer to steer Denmark.Though the electorate will ostensibly vote for a party, analysts say that it will really come down to which leader they prefer to steer Denmark.
On the center-left, the main contender is Ms. Frederiksen, who had been praised for her straightforward, clear style during the pandemic but whose reputation was sullied by the mink scandal.On the center-left, the main contender is Ms. Frederiksen, who had been praised for her straightforward, clear style during the pandemic but whose reputation was sullied by the mink scandal.
On the center and center-right, there are several main figures:On the center and center-right, there are several main figures:
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister who broke from the center-right Venstre party to make a comeback campaigning with his new Moderates party, which has not yet declared loyalty to any coalition.Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister who broke from the center-right Venstre party to make a comeback campaigning with his new Moderates party, which has not yet declared loyalty to any coalition.
Inger Stojberg, a former immigration minister for the Venstre party who was impeached for the illegal separation of asylum-seeking couples and who is leading another newly formed party, the Denmark Democrats.Inger Stojberg, a former immigration minister for the Venstre party who was impeached for the illegal separation of asylum-seeking couples and who is leading another newly formed party, the Denmark Democrats.
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, leader of the Venstre party, the main opposition group.Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, leader of the Venstre party, the main opposition group.
Soren Pape Poulsen, leader of the Conservative People’s Party.Soren Pape Poulsen, leader of the Conservative People’s Party.
“This election is going to be the most personal election in Danish political history,” said Mr. Larsen, the election analyst, adding that it was a significant shift from the tradition of voting for a party affiliation rather than for a specific candidate. “We are moving in the direction of what typically drives American politics,” he noted.“This election is going to be the most personal election in Danish political history,” said Mr. Larsen, the election analyst, adding that it was a significant shift from the tradition of voting for a party affiliation rather than for a specific candidate. “We are moving in the direction of what typically drives American politics,” he noted.
What a coalition will look like remained uncertain on Monday night, with polls showing neither center-left or center-right faction ahead with a clear majority. But the polls did suggest that the newly formed Moderates party under Mr. Rasmussen would most likely muster enough seats to have crucial sway over the formation of the next government. That could take some time, and it is even possible that Mr. Rasmussen himself becomes prime minister.What a coalition will look like remained uncertain on Monday night, with polls showing neither center-left or center-right faction ahead with a clear majority. But the polls did suggest that the newly formed Moderates party under Mr. Rasmussen would most likely muster enough seats to have crucial sway over the formation of the next government. That could take some time, and it is even possible that Mr. Rasmussen himself becomes prime minister.
“It looks like he will be king maker,” Professor Hansen said. “He will definitely be decisive.”“It looks like he will be king maker,” Professor Hansen said. “He will definitely be decisive.”
Many Danes have expressed uncertainty about which party to back on Tuesday.Many Danes have expressed uncertainty about which party to back on Tuesday.
“It seems that more and more people are unstable when it comes to their party choice,” Professor Hansen said. But even with changes in parties’ share of the vote, he said, policymaking would probably remain consensus-seeking and consistent.“It seems that more and more people are unstable when it comes to their party choice,” Professor Hansen said. But even with changes in parties’ share of the vote, he said, policymaking would probably remain consensus-seeking and consistent.
And far-right parties, whose strong showing in the 2015 election was followed up by a decline in the 2019 election, were not expected to make gains.And far-right parties, whose strong showing in the 2015 election was followed up by a decline in the 2019 election, were not expected to make gains.
“Most likely we will not see any major changes — but we will definitely see some new faces,” Professor Hansen said.“Most likely we will not see any major changes — but we will definitely see some new faces,” Professor Hansen said.