Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats emerged as the largest party in Tuesday’s Danish general election, winning 21.9% of the vote—their weakest result since 1903. The left-leaning “red bloc,” made up of the Social Democrats and allied parties, secured a total of 84 seats, falling short of the 90 needed to form a majority in the 179-seat Folketing.

Frederiksen, in power since 2019, told supporters she was “sorry we did not get more votes” but highlighted that the Social Democrats remain Denmark’s “absolute favourite” political party.

The main right-wing rival, Venstre, also recorded its worst result in a century with 10.1%, finishing behind the Green Left SF. Twelve parties contested the election, reflecting Denmark’s fragmented political landscape, and the outcome underscores the country’s reliance on coalition governments.

With the red bloc holding a narrow lead over the right-leaning “blue bloc,” which captured 77 seats, Frederiksen could remain in power, but negotiations to form a stable government are expected to take days or weeks.

via BBC