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Denmark to vote in close election Denmark votes in close election
(about 9 hours later)
Denmark goes to the polls on Thursday in a general election which opinion polls suggest is on a knife edge. Danes are voting in a general election which opinion polls suggest is on a knife edge.
The centre-left coalition of PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt, and the centre-right opposition led by ex-PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen, appear to be neck and neck.The centre-left coalition of PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt, and the centre-right opposition led by ex-PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen, appear to be neck and neck.
But the pollsters have only canvassed the Danish mainland - and voters in Greenland and the Faroe Islands may decide the vote.But the pollsters have only canvassed the Danish mainland - and voters in Greenland and the Faroe Islands may decide the vote.
Minor issues like a Faroes fishing dispute could influence the result.Minor issues like a Faroes fishing dispute could influence the result.
The islands' fishing community is still angry at Ms Thorning-Schmidt for barring its boats from Danish ports in a 2013 dispute over alleged overfishing.The islands' fishing community is still angry at Ms Thorning-Schmidt for barring its boats from Danish ports in a 2013 dispute over alleged overfishing.
But in reality it is the economy, rather than mackerel quotas, that tends to swing elections, and Ms Thorning-Schmidt's Social Democrat party has staged a remarkable comeback in recent weeks as Danish finances improve.But in reality it is the economy, rather than mackerel quotas, that tends to swing elections, and Ms Thorning-Schmidt's Social Democrat party has staged a remarkable comeback in recent weeks as Danish finances improve.
Welfare and immigration are exercising Danish voters even more than the economy, with anger at perceived benefit tourism leading the traditionally pro-immigration Social Democrats to launch an advertising campaign with the slogan: "If you come to Denmark you should work."Welfare and immigration are exercising Danish voters even more than the economy, with anger at perceived benefit tourism leading the traditionally pro-immigration Social Democrats to launch an advertising campaign with the slogan: "If you come to Denmark you should work."
Mr Rasmussen, who led the country between 2009 and 2011, has suggested that benefits are so high that there is barely any incentive for Danes or immigrants to work.Mr Rasmussen, who led the country between 2009 and 2011, has suggested that benefits are so high that there is barely any incentive for Danes or immigrants to work.
Denmark election: Close race for the status quoDenmark election: Close race for the status quo
With just hours left before the polls opened, the two would-be leaders were set to go head-to-head on these and other issues in a final televised debate. Hours before the polls opened, party leaders took part in the final debate on Danish TV.
A poll released on Tuesday put the centre-left bloc - the Social Democrats and their four coalition partners - on 50.1% and the centre-right bloc led by Mr Rasmussen on 49.9%.A poll released on Tuesday put the centre-left bloc - the Social Democrats and their four coalition partners - on 50.1% and the centre-right bloc led by Mr Rasmussen on 49.9%.
Either one of Ms Thorning-Schmidt's and Mr Rasmussen's parties could win the most seats, only to find themselves the loser if the other can muster a larger coalition.Either one of Ms Thorning-Schmidt's and Mr Rasmussen's parties could win the most seats, only to find themselves the loser if the other can muster a larger coalition.
Polling suggests that Danes are looking outside of the two main parties for alternatives.Polling suggests that Danes are looking outside of the two main parties for alternatives.
One of them, called the Alternative, is a green party that has the potential to tip the balance in the favour of the centre-left coalition.One of them, called the Alternative, is a green party that has the potential to tip the balance in the favour of the centre-left coalition.
On the other side, the Liberal Alliance is drawing young libertarians away from the centre-right.On the other side, the Liberal Alliance is drawing young libertarians away from the centre-right.