COPENHAGEN – Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Social Democrats kicked off negotiations Friday to build a coalition government, aiming for a third term despite a bruising election loss for her centrist Cabinet on March 24.
Frederiksen tendered her resignation to the king on March 25 after her bipartisan alliance with the centrist Moderates and right-wing Liberals lost its governing majority. Her party notched its worst result since 1903, securing just 38 seats in the 179-seat Folketing, down from 50, but remained the largest bloc.
Voter backlash over soaring living costs and fatigue after seven years of Frederiksen’s rule fueled the defeat, though many Danes praised her defiance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland. Her left-wing bloc edged out rivals with 84 seats to the right’s 77, falling short of the 90 needed for a majority.
Frederiksen has backing from the Social Liberals and Left Greens, who endorse her as prime minister, but must woo non-aligned Moderates or right-wing parties for stability in the fragmented 12-party Parliament. “The parties are quite divided on the substance, which also means that, after an election campaign, they may have to back down a bit on some promises,” said Andreas Thyrring of public affairs firm Ulveman & Borsting.
Tax policy looms large: Frederiksen’s wealth tax on top earners draws fire from center-right foes, while her pesticide curbs irk farmers. Failure to coalesce could prompt the king to tap another leader, prolonging uncertainty.