Danish Elections Called

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Monk


Curiously, his middle name translates into 'victim' in Scandinavian languages.

Mmm, victim of bad taste in clothing, a bad hair day, and a concerted attack of subcutaneous fat.


Looks nothing like most of the Danes I've met. Is he a Swedish import, par chance?

[Bosh]

Another thing which may play a part is that the keeping of troops in Iraq now has the support of 90% of the seats in Parliament, largely thanks to skillful political manoeuvering by PM Anders Fogh.

Wow, that's some pretty damn effective politicing.

[Winston]

Can't deny that.

On Iraq, I haven't seen any polls on popular support lately, but I would estimate it to be around 60% or so. It also depends a lot on how you pose the questions, as is always the case with these things.

chegitz guevara asked for background info on the parties and the way the system is set up in Danish politics. I haven't forgotten, I have a post on pre-1945 background written up and I'm working on some other parts (post-1945, historic voter support by party, parties in government historically, and of course a little background on the standing parties' platform), but it turns out to be very time consuming. I won't post anything until it's all done, which should be sometime tomorrow, hopefully.

[Giancarlo]

60% or so.. dang.. it seems you guys in Denmark wanted to go to Iraq moreso then the US. Can you spare more troops heheh?

[Gangerolf]

The Danes should take charge in Iraq.

Yes. I see it now:

Iraq Festival 2005
Sponsored by Tuborg

[Winston]

Might actually be worth a try. Spend half the combined military budgets on free beer for everybody, and see how long the insurgents could resist the temptation. Soon, all we'll hear is "al-Tuborg Akbar!", and probably not just 5 times a day.

[Winston]

From today's edition of Jyllands-Posten, country's largest daily newspaper:

"Mogens Lykketoft accuses Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Venstre of having stolen all the Social Democrats' main topics for the election."

(From left: Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Venstre), Minister of Economic and Business Affairs Bendt Bendtsen (Conservatives), Party Leader Mogens Lykketoft (Social Democrats), Party Leader Marianne Jelved (Radikale Venstre))

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Giancarlo
What is the approval rate of the Iraq war there?

I'll apologize for calling you a banana republic. You have troops in Iraq.

Of course we are no banana republic - we are very civilized. Noone wants to kill our leaders as the following pic shows. It isn't from the current election but are from an episode back in 2002 when Anders Fogh Rasmussen was donating some money to the homeless peoples organization. Wonder what would happen if somebody tried to improve GB Jr's hair with some egg protein

[BlackCat]

Anotherone where some jerks wanted to illustrate that AFR had blood on his hands due to the partition in the Iraqui liberation. They totally forgot that by supporting Saddam they took coresponsibillity (can you say that ?) for the countless victims in Saddams torture centres.

I'm not sure, but I think it was waterbased paint so it did go off in wash

[Monk]

Originally posted by BlackCat
I'm not sure, but I think it was waterbased paint so it did go off in wash

That's not correct. PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen's suit as well as that of Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller were ruined along with the parliamentary carpet floor.

Protesters had to pay more than 100.000 DKR compensation for the damages.

[BlackCat]

Sorry - wrong informed.

[Monk]

Originally posted by BlackCat
Sorry - wrong informed.

No reason to be sorry. Actually, my figures are from memory. I could be wrong, but I distinctly remember significant figures in the newspapers of those days.

A Viking smiley to you

[Winston]

Hmm, what's the exact relevance of bringing those shameful pictures into an election thread? Idiots are everywhere, and the only thing they achieved was heightened personal security against the people's top elected representatives, which is basically setting back the very open and trustful form of democracy that we're lucky enough to have.

Anyway, here's today's satirical from Jyllands-Posten:

"Radikale Venstre's Party Leader Marianne Jelved has said she's ready to become the country's next Prime Minister. So far she's got the support of CD's Mimi Jakobsen."

(Left to right: Party Leader Mogens Lykketoft, Social Democrats, Party Leader Marianne Jelved, Radikale Venstre. Note: Radikale Venstre got 5.2% of the votes in the 2001 elections, CD which was mentioned as supporting Radikale Venstre's bid for PM, got 1.8%)

[Winston]

Overview 1800's-1945

Ok, here's a little background on how the modern politcal landscape of my country came to be. This is just the first part, I hope to also be able to post an overview of 1945-present, short background on the platforms of the standing parties, historic support of parties since 1945, and past government constellations as well. But it takes a lot of time, and so it can't all be posted right away. I hope it's not too long a read. If you have questions, fire away.

---

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and its form of government is technically a constitutional, limited-monarchic one. The country got its first free constitution in 1849, following the intensified liberal and national awakening during the 1830's and 40's. This constitution, obtained peacefully, ended the absolute rule of the Monarch and granted the right to vote to male citizens above the age of 30.

Traditionally, that is to say during the early 19th century, and also for some time following the constitution, political groupings were uncemented, loosely divided into the Right, Højre, (Conservatives) supported by big landowners and high-ranking officers, and the Left, Venstre (Liberals) who had core support from farmers and smallholders.

Following a revision of the constitution in 1866 passed by Conservatives, a setback which limited voting rights to citizens owning substantial property, the Liberals formed closer ties together in an effort to oppose the ruling class. This resulted in the founding in 1870 of the party Venstre, the oldest in Denmark. A year later the Social Democratic Party was founded to give voice to the emerging industrial working class.

For the remainder of the 19th century, Venstre continued to gain support with the electorate and soon held a majority in parliament, but Højre, the landowners' party, continued to govern by means of provisional laws - and with the King's consent. In 1901, the King recognized the claim to power by Venstre, who then formed the first truly democratic government, an event which is referred to as the "Change of Systems", and the beginning of Parliamentarism.

1905 saw two new party formations; the old Højre which had been in power for most of the preceeding half century, reconstructed itself into a modern party, Det Konservative Folkeparti, Conservative People's Party. And the more progressive wing of the now ruling Venstre split out to form Det Radikale Venstre, "Radicals". So there were now 4 major parties, and those are traditionally referred to as the 4 "old" parties in Danish politics:

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Socialdemokratiet - (Social Democrats) workers' party, mainly urban, with a traditional Social Democratic platform, much like that of other European countries, headed first government in 1924

Det Radikale Venstre - (Social-Liberals) traditionally comprising smallholders, teachers and others, with a social-liberal platform, pacifistic and increasingly idealistic in the 20th century, headed first (and only government) in 1968

Det Konservative Folkeparti - (Conservatives) traditionally with the support of business owners, mainly urban, headed first government in 1982

Venstre - (Liberals) traditionally with support from farmers and the rural population in general, but increasingly gaining support in urban areas as well, especially late in the 20th century, headed first government in 1901

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1915 saw an amendment of the constitution which granted the vote to women, and another revision in 1953 cemented the principle of Parliamentarism (cabinet must have the confidence of Parliament), as well as the deposition of the 2-chamber system which had been in place until then.

Other enduring political parties which came into being before 1945 were:

Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti - (Communists) formed in 1918 as the Danish branch of Komintern, traditional Communist platform, but throughout the 20th century became one of the most Soviet-loyal Communist parties in Europe. Not represented in Parliament since the 1970's, but is today part of the small, Far-left conglomaration Enhedslisten which holds 4 seats.

Danmarks Retsforbund - (Georgists) formed in 1919, with a platform of high land value taxes to substitute income taxation. Not represented in Parliament since the 1970's.

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[Stefu]

Am I to understand from your cartoons that Lykketoft has shaved off his beard?

A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY