Politics of Denmark
Government
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with an unbroken link of monarchs for more than 1000 years (except for an interregnum of eight years 1332-1340). The current monarch, Queen Margaret II, has largely ceremonial functions; probably her most significant formal power lies in her right to appoint the statsminister (prime minister) and cabinet ministers, who are responsible for administration of the government. However, she must consult with parliamentary leaders to determine the public's will, since the cabinet may be dismissed by a vote of no confidence in the Folketing (Parliament). Cabinet members are occasionally recruited from outside the Folketing.
Between 1849 and 1953, the Folketing was the lower house of the bicameral Rigsdag, the upper house being the Landsting, which was indirectly elected. However, the 1953 Constitution established a unicameral Folketing of not more than 179 members, of whom two are elected from the Faroe Islands and two from Greenland. Elections are held at least every four years, but the prime minister can dissolve the Folketing at any time and call for new elections. Folketing members are elected by a complicated system of proportional representation; any party receiving at least 2% of the total national vote receives representation. The result is a multiplicity of parties (8 currently in parliament), none of which holds a majority of its own. Electorate participation lies normally above 85%.
Denmark is divided into 14 counties (amter) and 275 municipalities (kommuner). The chief official of the amt, the county mayor (amtsborgmester), is elected by the county council from among its members, according to the municipal reform of 1970. The cities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg function as both counties and municipalities.
The Faroe Islands and Greenland enjoy home rule, with the Danish Government represented locally by a high commissioner (rigsombudsmand). These home-rule governments are responsible for most domestic affairs, with foreign relations, monetary affairs, and defence falling to the Danish Government.
Political conditions
Political life in Denmark is orderly and democratic. Political changes occur gradually through a process of consensus, and political methods and attitudes are generally moderate.
The Social Democratic Party, historically identified with a well-organized labor movement but today appealing more broadly to the middle class, has held power either alone in minority cabinets or as dominant party in coalition cabinets for most of the postwar period. 1982 to 1993, and since the 2001 election Denmark has been governed by liberal-conservative coalitions – currently led by Anders Fogh Rasmussen as Prime Minister.
The vulnerability implicit in a minority coalition has been evidenced in recent coalition failure to achieve consensus on issues such as extensive reforms on matters of labor market, taxation, and the welfare system. Consensus decision-making is the most prominent feature of Danish politics. It often allows the small centrist parties to play a larger role than their size suggests. Although the centrist Radikale party sometimes shows traces of its pacifist past, particularly on defense spending, most major legislation is passed by sizeable majorities.
Justice
The court system consists of: 82 County Courts (Byretten); 2 High Courts (Landsretten); 1 Maritime and Commercial Court (Sø- og Handelsretten) as well as the Supreme Court (Højesteret). Furthermore, the Special Court of Indictment and Revision (Den særlige Klageret) deals with cases concerning disciplinary sanctions against judges. All judges are appointed by the Queen, following recommendations from the Minister of Justice on the advice of the Judicial Appointments Council.
Government type:
Constitutional monarchy
Administrative divisions:
Metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 kommunes*; Aarhus County, Bornholm, Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg County, Funen County, Copenhagen County, Copenhagen*, North Jutland County, Ribe County, Ringkjøbing County, Roskilde County, South Jutland County, Storstrøm County, Vejle County, West Zealand County, Viborg County.
note:
In addition, there are 275 local municipalities not considered first-order administrative units; see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing administrative divisions.
Independence:
First organized as a unified state in 10th century; since 1849 a constitutional monarchy.
Constitution:
1849 was the original constitution; there was a major overhaul June 5, 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state.
Legal system:
Civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Executive branch:
Chief of state:
Queen Margaret II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Frederik, elder son of the monarch (born May 26, 1968).
Head of government:
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (since 20 November 2001)
Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch.
Elections:
None; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch.
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the monarch for life.
Legislative branch:
Unicameral Parliament or Folketing (179 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms).
Elections:
Last held 20 november 2001 (next to be held NA 2005).
Election results:
Percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - progovernment parties: Liberal Party 56, Conservative Party 16, Danish People's Party 22; opposition: Social Democratic Party 52, Socialist People's Party 12, Social Liberal Party 9, Unity List - Red-Green Alliance 4, Christian People's Party 4, Center Democratic Party 0, Progress Party 0
Political parties and leaders:
Center Democratic Party Mimi Jakobsen; Christian People's Party Jann Sjursen (Jann Sjursen is leaving politics);Conservative People's Party Bendt Bendtsen; Danish People's Party Pia Kjaersgaard (Strong rightwing); Liberal Party Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Social Liberal Party Marianne Jelved; Social Democratic Party Mogens Lykketoft; Socialist People's Party Holger K. Nielsen; Unity List - Red-Green Alliance [no leader]
