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Danish PM out to prove pollsters wrong as rightwingers play up election chances Danish PM out to prove pollsters wrong as rightwingers play up election chances
(about 1 hour later)
Unsuspecting shoppers on Strøget, Copenhagen’s main pedestrian street, were inundated with free samples of pork scratchings on Wednesday as election fever suddenly gripped Denmark.Unsuspecting shoppers on Strøget, Copenhagen’s main pedestrian street, were inundated with free samples of pork scratchings on Wednesday as election fever suddenly gripped Denmark.
Clad in white rugby shirts bearing the image of a guard dog on the back, MPs from the rightwing, Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant Danish People’s party were thrusting packets of the national delicacy in all directions, just an hour after the Social Democrat prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, dissolved parliament. Clad in white rugby shirts bearing the image of a guard dog on the back, MPs from the rightwing, Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant Danish People’s party were thrusting packets of the national delicacy in all directions, just an hour after the prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, dissolved parliament.
Søren Espersen, the DPP’s foreign affairs spokesman, quipped: “Thank heavens she called the election. We’ve got 800 kilos and the sell-by date is 27 July.”Søren Espersen, the DPP’s foreign affairs spokesman, quipped: “Thank heavens she called the election. We’ve got 800 kilos and the sell-by date is 27 July.”
The latest opinion polls suggest that, like its spiritual British cousins Ukip, the DPP will be the third largest party on 18 June, election day.The latest opinion polls suggest that, like its spiritual British cousins Ukip, the DPP will be the third largest party on 18 June, election day.
Thanks to Denmark’s proportional representation system, the DPP is likely to be a vital pillar in a coalition led by the right of centre Liberal party, which could boost David Cameron’s campaign to renegotiate European Union membership terms. Thanks to Denmark’s proportional representation system, the DPP is likely to be a key pillar in a coalition led by the right-of-centre Liberal party, which could boost David Cameron’s campaign to renegotiate European Union membership terms.
Related: Danish PM calls general election, saying voters must have say on spendingRelated: Danish PM calls general election, saying voters must have say on spending
Cameron was forced to cancel a planned breakfast meeting on Thursday with Thorning-Schmidt because of the election announcement.Cameron was forced to cancel a planned breakfast meeting on Thursday with Thorning-Schmidt because of the election announcement.
Taking a break from offloading pork scratchings, Espersen told the Guardian: “The road Mr Cameron has taken is one we will follow with interest because that is exactly what we want.Taking a break from offloading pork scratchings, Espersen told the Guardian: “The road Mr Cameron has taken is one we will follow with interest because that is exactly what we want.
“We want an EU where power is brought back to the member states and where the commission doesn’t rule. That is of the utmost importance to the future of Europe, we believe. We think David Cameron is speaking on behalf of many, many states that don’t want to see the continuation of this madness. What is going on in Britain is to the advantage of the whole community.”“We want an EU where power is brought back to the member states and where the commission doesn’t rule. That is of the utmost importance to the future of Europe, we believe. We think David Cameron is speaking on behalf of many, many states that don’t want to see the continuation of this madness. What is going on in Britain is to the advantage of the whole community.”
The confidence of Espersen and Denmark’s so-called blue block is justified, according to Rune Stubager, a professor of political science at Aarhus University. The confidence of Espersen and Denmark’s so-called blue block is justified, according to Rune Stubager, a professor of political science at Aarhus University. If Thorning-Schmidt wins, “it will be the biggest comeback in Danish political history,” Stubager said.
If Thorning-Schmidt wins, “it will be the biggest comeback in Danish political history,” Stubager said.
“Never has a government that has been so far behind succeeded in regaining power. That would be a historical achievement.”“Never has a government that has been so far behind succeeded in regaining power. That would be a historical achievement.”
Related: Denmark votes to defend meatballs – via party with the ordinary voiceRelated: Denmark votes to defend meatballs – via party with the ordinary voice
The latest poll, published on Tuesday, suggests that 46% of the Danish electorate considers Thorning-Schmidt to be the most credible prime ministerial candidate.The latest poll, published on Tuesday, suggests that 46% of the Danish electorate considers Thorning-Schmidt to be the most credible prime ministerial candidate.
However, the Social Democrats, who are similar in their stance to New Labour, only command 25%, and her current coalition partners on the left are flagging. However, her party, the Social Democrats, who are similar in their stance to New Labour, are on 25% in the polls, and their coalition partners on the left are flagging.
Thorning-Schmidt, who is married to Stephen Kinnock, the newly elected MP for Aberavon and son of the former Labour leader Neil, is trumpeting what she claims is her success in marshalling Denmark’s emergence from the financial crisis.Thorning-Schmidt, who is married to Stephen Kinnock, the newly elected MP for Aberavon and son of the former Labour leader Neil, is trumpeting what she claims is her success in marshalling Denmark’s emergence from the financial crisis.
In a televised announcement from the prime minister’s office – flouting convention that elections are called from the floor of Christiansborg, the parliament – she said of when she took office in 2011: “More than 100,000 Danes had lost their jobs. All over the country, businesses, were shutting down. In a televised announcement from the prime minister’s office – flouting convention that elections are called from the floor of Christiansborg, the parliament – she spoke of the progress since she took office in 2011.
“We have now had growth for 18 months in a row. Our businesses are once again thriving. Our money is being managed properly, but most importantly, more than 30,000 people have got jobs.” “More than 100,000 Danes had lost their jobs. All over the country, businesses, were shutting down. We have now had growth for 18 months in a row. Our businesses are once again thriving. Our money is being managed properly, but most importantly, more than 30,000 people have got jobs,” she said.
The man expected to replace Thorning-Schmidt, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, can only muster 19% in the credibility stakes. His personal ratings are affected by lingering doubts about his suitability to be prime minister following revelations that he used Liberal party funds to pay for his wardrobe. The man expected to replace Thorning-Schmidt as PM, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, can muster only 19% in the credibility stakes. His personal ratings are affected by lingering doubts about his suitability for the role after revelations that he used Liberal party funds to pay for his wardrobe.
Related: Far-right takes victory in Danish European electionsRelated: Far-right takes victory in Danish European elections
The Liberals are running second in the polls on 21%. They are pledging tax cuts that will be paid for by cutting in foreign aid and reducing Denmark’s generous welfare benefits. The Liberals are running second in the polls on 21%. They are pledging tax cuts that would be paid for by cutting foreign aid and reducing Denmark’s generous welfare benefits.
Speaking on a walkabout in downtown Copenhagen, Rasmussen said: “Far too many Danes gain far too little by working. There has to be freedom for those who can. And care for those who can’t.”Speaking on a walkabout in downtown Copenhagen, Rasmussen said: “Far too many Danes gain far too little by working. There has to be freedom for those who can. And care for those who can’t.”
Immigration is certain to be a major issue, much to the dismay of the United Nations committee on racial discrimination, which said it was “concerned about the increase in xenophobia and political propaganda targeting non-citizens”. Immigration is certain to be a big issue, much to the dismay of the United Nations committee on racial discrimination, which said it was “concerned about the increase in xenophobia and political propaganda targeting non-citizens”.
Thorning-Schmidt is being talked up as a potential future UN secretary general, as the organisation is thought to favour replacing Ban Ki Moon with a woman when he steps down next year. Thorning-Schmidt is being talked up as a potential future UN secretary general, as the organisation is thought to favour replacing Ban Ki-moon with a woman when he steps down next year.
In the meantime, she is trying to prove the pollsters wrong. Before handing out roses in Copenhagen, Thorning-Schmidt said: “If the Danes want me, I want to continue this course of ours.” In the meantime she is trying to prove the pollsters wrong. Before handing out roses in Copenhagen, Thorning-Schmidt said: “If the Danes want me, I want to continue this course of ours.”