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Denmark votes in early elections Denmark votes in early elections
(about 5 hours later)
Denmark is voting in an early general election with a close result expected.Denmark is voting in an early general election with a close result expected.
Opinion polls are suggesting a slim victory for Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right coalition over the centre-left opposition.Opinion polls are suggesting a slim victory for Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right coalition over the centre-left opposition.
There has been much campaign wrangling about welfare and tax reforms, immigration and the environment.There has been much campaign wrangling about welfare and tax reforms, immigration and the environment.
But all the main parties seem to agree on the core issues and campaigning has been more about who wields power than a policy change, correspondents say.But all the main parties seem to agree on the core issues and campaigning has been more about who wields power than a policy change, correspondents say.
Narrowing the gapNarrowing the gap
Polls were due to open across Denmark at 0800 GMT and to close at 1900 GMT, with final results expected just before midnight. Polls opened across Denmark at 0800 GMT and will close at 1900 GMT, with final results expected just before midnight.
This election is very close. You can't count your chickens before they're hatched Anders Fogh RasmussenDanish Prime Minister
Some four million Danes are eligible to elect the 179-member parliament, the Folketing.Some four million Danes are eligible to elect the 179-member parliament, the Folketing.
Electoral officials reported heavy turnout early in the day.
It's going to be tight, but we'll pull it off Anders Fogh RasmussenDanish Prime Minister
Mr Rasmussen's minority Liberal-Conservative government - along with its parliamentary ally the right-wing Danish People's Party - has led opinion polls, but the Social Democrat-led opposition has narrowed the gap in the last few days.Mr Rasmussen's minority Liberal-Conservative government - along with its parliamentary ally the right-wing Danish People's Party - has led opinion polls, but the Social Democrat-led opposition has narrowed the gap in the last few days.
"This election is very close. You can't count your chickens before they're hatched," Mr Rasmussen said in a final TV debate on Monday. "It's going to be tight, but we'll pull it off," Mr Rasmussen said as he voted in the capital Copenhagen.
Mr Rasmussen called the vote because election rumours have been so widespread over the past couple of months that parliament had almost come to a standstill, the BBC's Julian Isherwood in Copenhagen says.Mr Rasmussen called the vote because election rumours have been so widespread over the past couple of months that parliament had almost come to a standstill, the BBC's Julian Isherwood in Copenhagen says.
The prime minister - who faces upcoming wage negotiations and a package of welfare reforms to negotiate - said he needed a renewed mandate to continue.The prime minister - who faces upcoming wage negotiations and a package of welfare reforms to negotiate - said he needed a renewed mandate to continue.
CrusadeCrusade
The main problem for Mr Rasmussen's government appears to have been the emergence of the New Alliance party, observers say.The main problem for Mr Rasmussen's government appears to have been the emergence of the New Alliance party, observers say.
Syrian-born Naser Khader has shot to prominence in Denmark With which of the two main parties will Mr Khader (centre) join?
Under the leadership of a Syria-born Palestinian, Naser Khader, the party has been doing well in the opinion polls.Under the leadership of a Syria-born Palestinian, Naser Khader, the party has been doing well in the opinion polls.
New Alliance wants to stem the influence on the government of the Danish People's Party, who stand on an anti-immigration platform.New Alliance wants to stem the influence on the government of the Danish People's Party, who stand on an anti-immigration platform.
The latest opinion polls have predicted that even though support for New Alliance has waned, it will still be the deciding factor in who becomes the next prime minister.The latest opinion polls have predicted that even though support for New Alliance has waned, it will still be the deciding factor in who becomes the next prime minister.
And although Mr Khader has said his choice would be the current prime minister, many expect negotiations along the way.And although Mr Khader has said his choice would be the current prime minister, many expect negotiations along the way.
Nine parties are contesting the election, and several of them hover around the 2% electoral threshold.Nine parties are contesting the election, and several of them hover around the 2% electoral threshold.
However, even a change in government to the main opposition Social Democrats would be unlikely to change Denmark's domestic or international politics to any major degree, our correspondent says.However, even a change in government to the main opposition Social Democrats would be unlikely to change Denmark's domestic or international politics to any major degree, our correspondent says.