Denmark Politics

The Kingdom of Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch who is the Head of State, has the theoretical power to appoint and to dismiss government ministers including the Prime Minister. Government bills and legislation, before receiving Royal Ascent must be put before a privy council which is headed by the monarch. In practice however, since the introduction of parliamentary sovereignty in 1901 there has been a de facto separation of powers and these decisions are exercised by the Prime Minister and the parliamentary Cabinet, receiving the formal consent of the Monarch.

Executive authority is therefore exercised on behalf of the reigning monarch by the prime minister and the cabinet (collectively the Government). The government is always answerable to Parliament, the legislative body. Judicial power lies with the independent Courts of Justice.

The Parliament (Folketing) which holds full legislative power, consists of 179 members elected by a system of proportional representation in elections held every four years as a minimum; 175 members are elected in Denmark and 2 seats each are reserved for Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The nature of proportional representation in Denmark has historically given rise to coalition governments. This has encouraged a strong sense of cooperation between political parties over the years and an ethos of concensus over key decisions made e.g. surrounding the establishment and potential reform of the welfare state.

Since 2001 Anders Fogh RasmussenSince has been Prime Minister from the center-right liberal party which has been a departure to the historical trend as centre-left coaltions have tended to be in power since WW2.

Back to All European Country Guides