Danish Elections Called

[Winston]

... in 3 hours from now, that is.

The commentators and media here seem in agreement that at 13:00 this afternoon, Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen will announce in Parliament that general elections are to be held, presumably sometime in the beginning of February.

Fogh Rasmussen formed a coalition liberal-conservative government following the historic November 2001 elections, in which for the first time since 1920, the Social Democrats were no longer the party with the most voters behind them. Fogh Rasmussen's Venstre gained 31.3%, the Social Democrats 29.1%.

Since then, the current government has been succesful in totally dominating the political agenda, emphasizing issues of values (e.g. immigration, quality of schools, defense of individual rights) alongside traditional policy areas of an economic nature, such as taxation, the allocation of wealth and the direction of the modern welfare state.

Among its notable succeses are a distinct decline in the number of third world immigrants entering the country, a full stop on any increase in taxes and excises, hosting a succesful EU summit that paved the way for the recent 10 country expansion, and, as one of not too many European nations, joining and steadily supporting the international coalition in Iraq, managing to gain and keep wide popular support for the decision as well. The cabinet also prepared and is about to pass an ambitious municipal reform, the first in a generation, which will result in somewhat larger municipal units than today, and also better enable the efficient administration of public services such as hospitals, schools, roads, the environment and other public works.

Current opinion polls overwhelmingly point to another election victory for Fogh Rasmussen and his ruling coalition, recently indicating an overall gain for the government parties and its supporting, right wing populist partner.

Elections have to be held no later than November of this year, but the Prime Minister will most likely want to ask for a renewed mandate before passing the complex reform of the municipal system I mentioned.

Should be a ball. Of course, if he doesn't announce it today, this thread will serve for rightfully ridiculing crazy Winston, for being sooo sure of this that he just couldn't wait. But just wait and see..

[Stefu]

May the best Rasmussen win!

Unless Lykketoft wins the funky beardo vote:

[Winston]

Thank you, thank you.

Although I do wish you wouldn't contaminate this fine thread like that, with images likely to scare the crap out of ordinary, peaceful people.

A little information on the parties:

Current number of seats in the Danish Parliament, Folketinget:

54 - Venstre - Liberals, emphasis on individual rights, strongly pro-EU, believes in decentralisation and free markets, leads present government

(2) - Non-affiliates, formerly members of Venstre's group

52 - Socialdemokraterne - Social Democrats, like most Social Democrats

22 - Dansk Folkeparti - Danish People's Party, right wing populists, akin to Social Democrats on some welfare issues, anti-EU, supports present government

16 - Det Konservative Folkeparti - Conservatives, like most Conservative parties, in present government

12 - Socialistisk Folkeparti - Socialist People's Party, emphasis on decentralisation, party recently turned more pro-EU

9 - Det Radikale Venstre - Social-liberals, attracts academics, mostly of big cities, fiscally non-socialist, pro-EU, opposes restrictions on immigration

4 - Kristendemokraterne - Christian Democrats, emphasis on family issues, somewhat pro-EU, but not overly enthusiastic, supported forming of present government

4 - Enhedslisten - Far-left Socialists, you know the drill, pretty much opposed to everything

---

2 - seats elected in Faroe Islands, 1 in support of present government, 1 opposed

2 - seats elected in Greenland, 1 in support of present government, 1 opposed

---

179 total, 90 required for majority

[Stefu]

Got any election selectors?

[Buck Birdseed]

That would be fun... Both Radikale Venstre and Socialistisk Folkeparti sound like they might appeal to me, in different ways.

[Monk]

Originally posted by Stefu
Got any election selectors?

You mean those online tests to see which party you agree with? I can think of a single one. I suppose I could do a quick translation of the questions if you'd like.

[Winston]

No idea, so I refer to Monk, unofficial master of providing online election predictors.

If it's the one on DR, that's a really terrible one BTW. It supposedly gives you the name of an MP that your answers are most in accordance with. I don't think it's very thorough, plus it requires some prior knowledge of Danish politics to be even somewhat accurate.

[Giancarlo]

"Socialist People's Party, emphasis on decentralisation"

What is this about? I thought a party with a name like that would be for centralization?

[Winston]

Well, they aren't. They've come a long way since splitting from the Communist Party back in 1958, incidentally over the popular uprising in Hungary 2 years before.

It's a hippie party of course, but they can actually take a responsible stance on some issues, most recently evidenced by their agreement to support the government's recommendation of accepting the EU "constitution" in the upcoming referendum.

They've traditionally been big among first time voters, who want us all to get along and smoke the occasional pipe together at the bonfire. But in recent years, Venstre, the Liberals have taken a bigger chunk of this voter group, as well as of most others.

<-- Party symbol of Venstre.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Stefu
May the best Rasmussen win!

Unless Lykketoft wins the funky beardo vote:

Trotsky is standing?

Oy.

[Monk]

Originally posted by Winston
If it's the one on DR, that's a really terrible one BTW.

That's the one, it turns out. From looking over it, I'll agree it's a poor show, so Stefu will have to continue measuring Danish politicians from their looks and last names.

According to everybody's favourite tabloid, Fogh called the election with the intention of 'destroying' his opponent. They managed to find a picture of post-goatee Lykketoft where he looks like a deer in headlights.

[Winston]

Please, no more pictures of Mogens Lykketoft, it's so very cruel and inhuman. Remember, this is a family site!

If anyone's interested in seeing how an election is called in Denmark, here's a link to a live stream of Danish National Television. Click the caption that says "TV AVISEN EKSTRA" in the blue and white bar at the center of the page. Stream will open in Windows Media Player. The announcement will be in about 5 minutes from now.

[Stefu]

Stefu will have to continue measuring Danish politicians from their looks and last names.

Th' only way there is!

[Buck Birdseed]

Well, since their last names are all "Rasmussen" that part is pretty straightforward.

[Winston]

And there it is. General elections to be held 3 weeks from now, on Tuesday, 8. February 2005.

Hopefully, we'll see a spirited and intense election campaign that's not too "dirty".

It will likely be somewhat more "presidential" than what we're used to, very much focused on the two main aspirants for PM, Fogh Rasmussen and Lykketoft - and which one inspires the most personal confidence in people. So it isn't really going to be much of a race anyway...