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Danish centre-right wins election Danish centre-right wins election
(about 10 hours later)
Denmark's governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has won a general election, but is one seat short of an absolute majority. Denmark's centre-right government of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has won a snap election, securing a third consecutive term in office.
With all the votes counted, his Liberal-Conservative led government has taken 89 of the 179 seats in the Folketing, the country's parliament. His Liberal-Conservative coalition and allies won 90 of the 179 seats in parliament, near complete results show.
Mr Rasmussen could be forced to seek support from a new party headed by a Syrian-born Palestinian immigrant. The centre-left opposition led by the Social Democrats secured 84 seats.
Mr Rasmussen now faces tough talks on whether to expand the ruling bloc by including a new party led by a Syria-born Palestinian immigrant.
Turnout was higher than in the previous poll, held in 2005, at over 86%.Turnout was higher than in the previous poll, held in 2005, at over 86%.
Mr Rasmussen, 54, who won a third consecutive election after the 2001 and 2005 victories was in a jubilant mood. Tough negotiations
"Everything indicates that the government can continue," he told his supporters after victory became clear. "It's a good day for Denmark. Everything indicates that the government can continue," Mr Rasmussen, 54, told his jubilant supporters after victory became clear.
Social Democrat leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt has admitted her party had failed to gain enough votes, saying: "It was not enough."
'Kingmaker' Khader?
But Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party lost six seats and most of these went to the recently formed New Alliance party headed by Naser Khader, which won five seats, holding the balance of power in the new parliament.
THE NEW DANISH PARLIAMENT Liberal Party 46 (-6)Social Democrats 45 (-1)Danish People's Party 25 (+1)Socialist Party 23 (+12)Conservative Party 18 (no change)New Alliance 5 (+5)Others 17Total 179THE NEW DANISH PARLIAMENT Liberal Party 46 (-6)Social Democrats 45 (-1)Danish People's Party 25 (+1)Socialist Party 23 (+12)Conservative Party 18 (no change)New Alliance 5 (+5)Others 17Total 179
The minority Liberal-Conservative government has counted until now on the support of the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party. Social Democrat leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt admitted her party had failed to gain enough votes, saying: "It was not enough."
And although Mr Khader has said his choice would be to side with the current prime minister, many expect negotiations along the way. "We'll do it next time," she added.
But such a coalition including the anti-immigrant DPP and Mr Khader's party would be unstable, some analysts say. With all the votes counted, Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party lost six of its seats to secure 46 berths in the parliament, the Folketing, while the Conservatives remained unchanged at 18.
There has been much campaign wrangling about welfare and tax reforms, immigration and the environment. But the coalition's majority was assured thanks to a strong showing by the right-wing Danish People's Party (DPP). The minority Liberal-Conservative cabinet has until now counted on the support of the DPP.
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. Another allied party appeared to have won one of two seats in the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands.
Mr Rasmussen's bloc now has to decide whether to include the recently formed New Alliance party, headed by Naser Khader, a Palestinian immigrant. The party won five seats.
Although Mr Khader said his choice would be to side with the prime minister, many now expect negotiations along the way.
A coalition including the anti-immigrant DPP and Mr Khader's party could also be unstable, some analysts say.
Complete official results are expected later on Wednesday.
The issues of welfare and tax reforms, immigration and the environment led to much campaign wrangling.
But all the main parties seem to agree on the core issues and campaigning has been more about who wields power than any policy change, correspondents say.
Mr Rasmussen called the early election three weeks ago, taking advantage of high approval ratings and strong economic growth.