Historic Setback for Mette Frederiksen's Social Democrats in Danish Elections

In a stunning turn of events, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has acknowledged a significant decline in support for her Social Democrats party, which has suffered substantial electoral defeats throughout Denmark. For the first time in over a century, the Social Democrats have relinquished control of Copenhagen, losing a crucial municipal stronghold. In the recent municipal and regional elections held on Tuesday, the Social Democrats experienced a drop of over five percentage points, plummeting from 284 seats in 2021 to just 232. While they remain the largest municipal party in Denmark, the election results reflect a deepening concern within the party regarding its national appeal and local governance. Conversely, the far-right Danish People's Party saw a slight increase in support, rising from 409 to 59 seats, further complicating the political landscape. Notably, Frederiksen's close ally, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, who was handpicked to run for the prestigious position of lord mayor in Copenhagen, fell short of the votes required for victory. The city's leadership will now be taken over by Sisse Marie Welling of the Green Left Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF), which garnered 17.9% of the vote, leading to a historic shift in the municipal power structure. "We have written history at city hall," declared Welling after her victory. The Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) managed to maintain its status as the largest party in the capital, securing 22.1% of the vote. The mood was somber for Frederiksen and her party as they grappled with unexpected election outcomes. "We had expected to go back, but it seems that the decline is greater than we had anticipated," Frederiksen admitted, indicating a willingness to reflect on what led to this sharp decrease in popularity. She cited rising food prices and the growing divide between urban and rural sentiments as factors contributing to their electoral struggles. Additionally, the prime minister's hardline stance on immigration was underscored as a divisive issue that may have influenced voter behavior. Despite the setbacks in Copenhagen, the Social Democrats faced losses in historically supportive municipalities such as Frederikshavn, Køge, Fredericia, Gladsaxe, and Holstebro, signaling broader discontent with the party's direction. While the left made gains in certain areas, the overall results fell short of expectations, particularly in the capital where there were hopes for a significant leftist resurgence. Analysts have remarked that voter fatigue stemming from Frederiksen's stringent immigration policies, alongside a newly revealed asylum and migration policy aligning with trends seen in Britain, may have alienated traditional supporters. Political science professor Peter Thisted Dinesen from the University of Copenhagen characterized this as a painful loss for the Social Democrats, noting that the fallout will urge introspection and discussions within the party about the underlying reasons for their decline. While Frederiksen's position as prime minister may not be immediately threatened, the electoral setbacks could foreshadow major strategic recalibrations ahead. The election results also herald a notable success for parties like the Socialist People's Party (SF), the Liberal Alliance (LA), and the Denmark Democrats (Dd), marking their inaugural participation in local elections, while the Venstre and Conservative parties faced losses yet gained in mayoral positions. As Denmark navigates this shifting political landscape, the future of the Social Democrats remains uncertain, leading to questions about the implications for governance and party identity in the months to come. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2