Note: In the lead up to the 2022 Parliamentary Election, Last Week in Denmark’s Executive Editor, Narcis, answered a host of questions. Many of these responses hold true for the 2026 Election and we hope this primer is useful for understanding how Danish federal elections function.
On October 6, 2022, prime-minister Mette Frederiksen called for Parliamentary Elections, earlier than expected (after only 3 years of her mandate). The election date is November 1, 2022 and the 14 political parties that managed to gather the necessary 20.000 signatures will be present on the ballot.
The Basics
What do we vote for?
To decide the 179 members of the Danish Parliament aka Folketinget. By proxy, to decide the new government of Denmark (which is voted by the Parliament).
What is the Danish Parliament?
The Folketing passes all legislation, controls how the government administers the legislation, and adopts an annual budget for the state.
How is a new government formed?
The current prime minister (Mette Frederiksen) can continue with a new 4-year mandate if there is not a majority against (90+ members) in the Danish Parliament. If the current prime minister has a majority against them, a new prime minister needs to be found.
The Queen calls in the leaders of the elected political parties to advise on who should be prime minister (it’s called the Queens Round). Then she nominates one of them as the person responsible to form a government and become prime minister. The Danish Parliament needs to not have a majority against. If this doesn’t work, the process is repeated until a prime minister is found.
What are the possible governments?
- A red government led by Mette Frederiksen (which contains only parties from the red camp).
- A blue government led by either Soren Pape Poulsen or Jakob Ellemann-Jensen (which contains only parties from the blue camp).
- A red-blue government led by either Mette, Soren or Jakob (which contains parties from both the red and blue camp).
Getting Involved
Does it matter for me as an International?
Yes. A lot of laws that directly affect our lives are decided in the Danish Parliament.
Who can vote?
Unfortunately for us, for parliamentary elections, only Danish citizens can vote. (Check out our flow chart explaining who can vote in Denmark.)
What can I do if I cannot vote?
You can stay informed. See what candidates or political parties deserve your support. You are allowed to be a member of a political party or to express political opinions without Danish citizenship. You can join the campaign of a candidate (they need all the help they can get – poster hanging, brochure distribution, street events) that wants to support our cause in the Danish Parliament.
How do I find a candidate that wants to support our cause?
Check out the posters in your area. Google those people and see when they are in your proximity. Go and ask them directly. If you are happy with their answer, offer your help. Reward the candidate for being positive towards us.
Parties and Camps
What is a red camp and a blue camp?
In Denmark, it is very difficult for a single party to obtain the majority in the Danish Parliament. I would even say impossible. So, the larger parties need to rely on smaller parties as coalition partners to get the prime minister seat. Over time, the parties that looked at the social democrat candidate as their prime minister candidate became labeled as “red parties” and part of the “red camp” and the parties that looked at the liberal (Venstre) candidate as their prime minister candidate became labeled as “blue parties” and part of the “blue camp”. Parties that are new and don’t declare who they will point to as their prime minister candidate are outside of the camps.
- The Red Parties (left-wing)
- The Blue Parties (right-wing)
- The Center Parties (middle ground, often small and unaffiliated)
