Far-right Danish People’s Party triples vote share in latest election results
The far-right Danish People’s Party tripled its vote share to over 9%, while the Liberal Alliance quadrupled its share compared to 2022.
Former Prime Minister Rasmussen has offered to lead efforts in forming a new political majority amidst shifting voter dynamics in Denmark’s recent elections.
Negotiations for forming a new majority across the political spectrum are set to begin, with Rasmussen leading the discussions as the appointed “royal investigator.”
Briefing summary
The far-right Danish People’s Party, led by Morten Messerschmidt, celebrated a significant increase, tripling its vote share to over 9% in the latest count. This marks a notable recovery from its previous performance.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Alliance under Alex Vanopslagh is projected to quadruple its share compared to 2022, indicating a potential shift in the political landscape.
Former premier Rasmussen has ruled himself out of the top job but aims to facilitate negotiations for a new majority. Frederiksen’s administration may influence the outcome despite her focus on domestic issues.
Exit polls: Frederiksen’s Social Democrats win Danish election but probably no majority
Far-right gains and liberal resurgence
But the far-right Danish People’s Party under former MEP Morten Messerschmidt was also celebrating tonight, as it tripled its vote share to over 9%, according to the latest vote count, offsetting its weak showing at the last elections in 2022.
At around the same margin projections now show the Liberal Alliance under Alex Vanopslagh. If confirmed it would mean that they have quadrupled their share compared to 2022.
Frederiksen’s outgoing three-party administration was the first in decades to straddle the political divide. It remains to be seen whether this election will result in a repeat.
Rasmussen rules himself out as premier but offers formation role
On the eve of the election Rasmussen insisted that he wasn’t interested in the top job this time round, but put himself forward to be the “royal investigator”, leading the negotiations for finding a new majority across the middle of the political spectrum.
Frederiksen, a Social Democrat who has been in office since 2019, has been praised for her leadership after standing her ground against Trump’s repeated demands to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark Trump claims the US needs for national security reasons.
Frederiksen is known for strong support of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s all-out invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration.
Greenland, which took up much of the government’s energy in recent months, has not been a significant issue in the campaign because there is broad agreement on its place in the kingdom.
In the wealthy nation of some 6 million people, the campaign has instead focused on domestic issues, including inflation, the welfare state, and high nitrate levels in agricultural water.
Video editor • Amandine Hess
Additional sources • AP, AFP