Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calls a snap vote for March 24 as Denmark navigates strained US ties over Greenland and European security concerns.
COPENHAGEN: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called a general election for March 24, 2026.
The snap vote comes as Denmark contends with diplomatic tensions involving the United States and Russia.
Frederiksen formally requested the monarch dissolve the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament.
“Whether I will continue to be your prime minister depends on how strong a mandate you give the Social Democrats,” she told lawmakers.
Her election platform includes reforming the retirement age and introducing a wealth tax.
She also pledged to maintain a strict migration policy, a key issue for the far-right Danish People’s Party.
That party’s leader, Morten Messerschmidt, criticised Frederiksen’s motives to AFP.
“She’s only interested in becoming prime minister again,” he said.
Frederiksen stressed that security policy remains the foundation of Danish politics.
She said Denmark must continue to rearm and help protect Europe against Russia.
The nation must also face “threats from the west and the risk of terror from the south”.
Relations with Washington will need redefining, she added, amid ongoing talks over Greenland.
The autonomous Arctic territory is central to US President Donald Trump’s national security interests.
Copenhagen insists only Greenland and Denmark can decide the island’s future.
“The dispute over Greenland is not over yet,” Frederiksen noted.
The diplomatic row has boosted Frederiksen’s popularity ahead of the vote.
One Copenhagen resident, Jacob Sorensen, was unsurprised by the election timing.
“She’s no good for Denmark,” the 33-year-old IT consultant told AFP, stating he would not vote for her party.
Retiree Glenn Lulloff also said he was done with the Social Democrats.
“Before, I was a red guy. But today, I’m sure I will go to the blue bloc,” he told AFP.
A recent TV2 poll showed 21% of voters intend to vote for the Social Democrats.
That figure represents a 6.5% drop from the party’s 2022 election result.