Denmark’s PM resigns her government after failing in early elections
Photo: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Getty Images)
Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, has submitted the government’s resignation after none of the political blocs secured a majority in the early parliamentary elections, according to a statement from the royal palace.
On March 25, her resignation was formally accepted by the King of Denmark. Following the meeting, it was announced that representatives of the parties elected to the Folketing will be given the opportunity to express their views on the formation of a new government.
Denmark is now preparing for complex coalition negotiations, noted The Guardian.
The left bloc, led by Frederiksen, won 84 seats, while the right bloc secured 77 in the 179-member parliament, making the position of the centrist Moderates, which holds 14 seats, potentially decisive.
Despite losing the chance for a single-party majority, Frederiksen’s Social Democrats remains the largest political force in parliament. However, this is their worst result in a general election since 1903.
After the elections, parties are expected to visit Amalienborg Palace in turn to inform the King who they see as the "royal investigator" — a politician tasked with attempting to form a new government.
Commenting on the situation, Frederiksen acknowledged that voters have put party leaders in a difficult position but emphasized that a government must be formed despite political uncertainty.
"The world is not waiting for us out there, and it has only become even more restless than when the election was called," she said.
The Prime Minister also stressed she would start exploring the possibility of forming a left-leaning government with the support of Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s centre-right Moderates.
Addressing members of her party, Frederiksen admitted that the result was not what she had hoped for but emphasized that she is still ready to lead the government.
"We reach out for responsibility – even when it comes at a price. I am still prepared to take on the job as Denmark’s prime minister. There is just no indication that it will be easy," she concluded.
Denmark’s early elections took place on March 24 — almost seven months ahead of the scheduled date. They were called amid a diplomatic crisis over Greenland.
According to Prime Minister Frederiksen, the decision for early elections followed comments by US President Donald Trump in early January, when he again expressed claims on Greenland.
Experts believed the conflict over the island could strengthen Frederiksen’s position as a defender of Denmark’s national interests. However, this proved insufficient to secure her a parliamentary majority.
