Every Danish government back to the 1970s has been formed on the basis of a majority consisting of either the Radicals or the Danish People’s Party.
But none of the ‘kingmakers’ are doing well in the polls and look set to become part of the next majority.
Both will likely be frozen out
DF (2.9 per cent) is in favor of a blue block majority, which looks unlikely without the support of Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s new center party, the Moderates.
Radikale (4.9) is open to a more centered majority with Mette Frederiksen back as Prime Minister, but this may be frozen out, as a centered majority of the Social Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives and Moderates would get 53.4 percent of the vote.
Both parties still court controversy
Politically, the DF is in favor of a large inflation package to help the elderly and will give the elderly the right to reject home care staff who wear headscarves.
In the meantime, Radikale has made it clear that it will not support the current government in certain measures – especially the plans to set up asylum centers outside Denmark’s borders, about which they issued an election ultimatum that Prime Minister Frederiksen issued earlier this month.
Rasmussen’s chances of becoming prime minister again are growing
His party is currently at 6.5 percent, but as much as 11 percent of the country would like Lars Løkke Rasmussen to undertake a historic third term as prime minister, according to a TV2 poll. Rasmussen’s center party, the Moderates, is expected to play kingmaker after the result of the election on 1 November, and he can step into the role if Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen fails to form a majority. It is believed that Rasmussen is in favor of a government consisting of the Prime Minister’s party Moderates, Liberals and Conservatives, and in such a case Rasmussen would be the best compromise for all parties.
PM pursued by pension issues
The controversial question of how much Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s pension is worth, and indeed all former politicians and ministers, has again been raised by the media. As things stand, thanks to her service as member of parliament, minister and prime minister, Frederiksen is guaranteed a lifelong pension of DKK 53,000 per month. However, many blame her party, the Social Democrats and the Left, which together have represented all of Denmark’s prime ministers going back to 1993, for stalling on the matter, claiming that the pensions should be worth far less than they are.
The Social Democracy supported by the recent resurgence of the Alternative
The Social Democrats have taken to Twitter to applaud the Alternative for its latest turnaround in fortunes. Seemingly out in the wilderness due to infighting in 2021 and early 2022, the party is now on course to win 2.4 percent of the national vote after a 1.1 percent increase. The Social Democrats still cling to a slim hope that it can form a red bloc majority, but the emergence of the Moderates makes it look increasingly unlikely.
The electorate is almost 50,000 larger than in 2019
The electorate has increased in size since 2019 with 48,414 eligible voters, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Housing. A total of 4,267,951 people will be able to vote. However, the figure does not include Danes abroad, who are still entitled to vote.
The Christian Democrats confirm caretaker Marianne Karlsmose as official leader
After just over five months as acting leader of the Christian Democrats, Marianne Karlsmose has been confirmed as official leader. Her election was unopposed as there were no candidates. She succeeds Isabella Arendt, who resigned earlier this year and is now bidding to be elected as a Conservative MP on 1 November.
Nursing trade unions increase the pressure on PM
Nurse union representatives have decided to use the build-up to the election to increase the pressure on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. They want above all an increase in wages, which they claim will prevent nurses from finding work in the private sector or abroad, and an increase in staff to ease long waiting lists and general stress at work.
Poulsen struggles to find the pieces in the dark
Conservative leader Søren Pape Poulsen has spoken about his nightlife safety policy: plans to toughen the penalties for violence, rape and drunk driving. Left-wing opponents argue that harsher punishments do not lead to less crime. Meanwhile, most experts agree that Poulsen looks like a third wheel in prime minister candidate TV debates and is unlikely to become Denmark’s first gay prime minister.
Candidate drops out after his son’s accident
The Danish Democrats’ candidate Karina Adsbøl has dropped out of her election campaign after her son was hit by a car on the way to school. He is in hospital on a ventilator, and Adsbøl has said that it is unlikely that she will stand.
The Liberal Alliance is tough on the climate, even if it costs jobs
The Liberal Alliance argues for a CO2 tax on agriculture. One of its members of parliament, Ole Birk Olesen, has argued that it does not matter if the tax makes certain products more expensive or even ends up costing jobs in the sector.
Shopping center bans politicians
The HerningCentret shopping center in Jutland has banned politicians from campaigning within its walls. The move has been criticized by the Social Democrats, Liberals, Radicals and the Danish Democrats.
Uncertainty is the norm among voters
With less than two weeks until the election, 65 percent of Danes have not yet decided who they want to vote for.
Source: The Nordic Page