Dates of last and next legislative elections:  2001/2005

Head of state: H.M. Queen Margrethe II

AT THE LAST ELECTION

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and a multiparty democracy. The associated territories of Greenland and the Faeroe Islands have home rule. The latter are divided over the issue of independence.

Profile

The intricate proportional electoral system ensures that Parliament truly reflects voters' wishes, but also tends to lead to minority governments. After a decade of Conservative–Liberal rule, the SD from 1993 headed a center-left coalition under Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. The pendulum swung back with a victory in 2001 for the Liberals and Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions voted in 2003 to cut its historic ties to the SD, ending over 100 years of political and financial support.

Tax and immigration are important issues but major policy differences between the two main political groups are few.

Main Political Issues

Relations with the EU

Denmark is a somewhat reluctant member of the EU. Left-of-center parties have grown suspicious of further integration and voters have previously rejected the Maastricht Treaty (1992) and membership of the eurozone (2000). Many voters are wary of monetary union, a common defense force, and local election voting rights for European citizens living in Denmark. Nonetheless, the Liberal government has championed Denmark's commitment to the union and Prime Minister Rasmussen has suggested that another referendum on the euro should be held once the new EU constitution is ironed out. Denmark held the EU presidency from July to December 2003.

Immigration

Despite Danish liberal traditions, the position and integration into society of immigrants and refugees, who account for under 5% of the population, is a controversial issue. The election of a right-wing government in 2001 signaled support for an overtly restrictive policy and a greater emphasis on integration for those immigrants already there. The ruling coalition relies for support on the far-right, anti-immigrant Danish People's Party, which had almost doubled its representation. Legislation passed in 2002 prevents the foreign (non-EU) spouse of a Danish citizen living in or emigrating to Denmark.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004