The results are as follows:
Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) (28,5%) – For more than 100 years, the Social Democrats have obtained the most votes in the local and regional elections. However, compared with 2017, the party has lost thousands of voters (especially in the four big cities). Leadership of 44/98 municipalities. Lost leadership of the North Denmark Region (after 100 years).
Venstre (Liberals) (21,1%) – The Liberals have also lost thousands of voters compared with 2017. Leadership of 36/98 municipalities.
Konservative (Conservatives) (15,2%) – The winners of this election round as they have doubled their voters, compared with 2017. However, they have lost the leadership of Frederiksberg (their stronghold since 1909 – now run by social democrats). The “Pape-effect” (the popularity of the party president, Søren Pape Poulsen) has contributed to the spectacular election result. Leadership of 12/98 municipalities. Victories in Aabenraa, Bornholm, Favrskov, Rudersdal, Kolding.
SF (Socialists) (7,6%) – The party has recovered the support lost in 2017. Leadership of 2/98 municipalities. Hvidovre added to the Socialist base.
Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) (7,3%) – An increase in popularity compared to 2017. The most voted party in Copenhagen.
Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) (5,6%) – One of the best elections in decades. Lost the municipality of Rebild and won instead Fanø.
DF (Nationalists) (4,1%) – Nightmare elections for the nationalists, as they lost half of the voters, compared with 2017. The party president has resigned and now the focus will switch internally, to find out the leader that can save the party. Also lost the one municipality where they had mayorship.
Nye Borgerlige (Libertarian-Nationalists) (3,6%)
Liberal Alliance (1,4%)
Kristendemokraterne (Christian-Democrats) (0,8%)
Alternativet (Greens) (0,7%)
Voting presence: 67,2% (Local) / 66,9% (Regional) – One of the lowest in history.
Observations:
19 women obtained the title of mayor. 8 more than in 2017. 873 women have obtained a seat in the local councils (35,9% of the total). 3% more than in 2017.
Since the regional councils creation in 2007, the Social Democrats have had the presidency of North Denmark Region Council. However, this time, the “blue” parties have obtained 21 seats out of 41 and have obtained the presidency. Ulla Astman has been replaced with Mads Duedahl.
Hard times ahead for prime-minister Mette Frederiksen, after several local and regional politicians from the Social Democrats, who lost the elections, pointed at her as the main reason.
As the results poured in, many candidates from the nationalists (DF) have chosen to resign their membership. The party is on its deathbed.
The Liberals (Venstre) managed to survive this election round, losing fewer votes than expected. However, the parliamentary elections will be the real test.
The five most popular local politicians in Denmark are: Christina Krzyzosiak Hansen (mayor of Holbæk – 46,5% of all votes) (youngest mayor in history), Birgit Stenbak Hansen (mayor of Frederikshavn – 40% of all votes), Kenneth Lundager Muhs (mayor of Nyborg – 33% of all votes), Michael Ziegler (mayor of Høje-Taastrup – 25% of all votes) and Steffen Jensen (mayor of Halsnæs – 25% of all votes).
Special words used during the election night
“Rævekage” aka “fox cake” symbolizes the deals made between parties before the elections that are not kept after the results have been announced. It means to be cunning. Check out here, three examples.
“De lange knives nat” aka “the long knives night” means that once the results are announced, nothing is off the table to obtain the power.
“Kongemager” aka “the king maker” are the small parties that have one or two seats that can give the leadership to one big party or another.
“Konstituering” is the process of distribution of power between the elected local and regional councilmen.
“Valgflæsk” are the empty promises made by some of the politicians. It also means fried pork.
“Kampen om kæderne” aka “the battle for the chains” is another saying about the negotiations between the parties on who should become mayor. The mayor in Denmark usually wears a centuries-old chain around its neck.
