Danish government negotiations have ceased, ending a record 69-day political deadlock. A new four-party coalition which includes ALDE Party members Moderaterne and Radikale Venstre marks a positive step following inconclusive elections in March.
The parliament was left splintered after the elections creating difficult negotiations, with the new “four leaf clover” coalition holding 82 of the 179 seats in parliament. Ministers were announced this morning, with seven liberal due to enter government from our member parties:
- Moderaterne: Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Foreign Minister), Jakob Engel-Schmidt (Tax and Growth Minister), Monika Rubin (Social Affairs and Nordic Cooperation Minister) and Christina Egelund (Research, Education and Digitalisation Minister).
- Radikale Venstre: Martin Lidegaard (Business and Competitiveness Minister), Samira Nawa (Climate, Energy and Utilities Minister) and Zenia Stampe (Culture Minister).
The agreement brings the parties together to outline an ambitious programme focused on security, economic reform, welfare expansion and environmental protection.
Moderaterne leader, Rasmussen, explained that: "the four-leaf clover government is first and foremost a cooperative government. The ambition is not to unite a bloc, but to unite Denmark. That is why the four-leaf clover government is the most moderate government Denmark could have."
Radikale Venstre leader Lidegaard continued on this, saying "we have formed Denmark's greenest government," and that “it is precisely the political responsibility for the next generations that we have been calling for for years.”
Some of the flagship policies include:
- Defence spending, support for Ukraine and European cooperation: A focus on security concerns and national defence with tensions surrounding Greenland and uncertainty created by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- Domestic concerns: An introduction of an age limit for social media use, free public transport for those under 22 and a expanding welfare provisions with a gradual move towards free dental care within the next decade, with plans to ease the cost of living pressures.
- Climate action: Environmental issues, the green transition and agriculture will feature prominently, with major changes in pig production and a removal of VAT on fruit and vegetables.
Taken together, the agreement reflects a government attempting to balance geopolitical uncertainty with domestic renewal. After more than two months of negotiations, coalition leaders will now face the challenge of turning an ambitious programme into workable policy.