Danish PM concedes defeat after far-right secures opposition win

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt conceded defeat in Thursday’s general election after an anti-immigration party scored a record vote to become the second-largest party and lifted the opposition right-wing bloc to victory. The DPP became the largest right-wing party for the first time with 21.1 percent of the vote, giving the grouping 90 seats in parliament. That compared to 85 for the centre-left bloc of Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who resigned as Social Democratic Party leader as she conceded defeat in the closely fought race.

Now it is up to Lars Lokke Rasmussen to try to form a government.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt conceded defeat in Thursday’s general election.

Former premier Lars Lokke Rasmussen is set to become the prime minister as the DPP, which backed right-wing governments between 2001 and 2011, has yet to say whether it would seek to join a right-wing government. It could opt to remain outside government and provide informal support to the right-wing bloc in parliament to pass legislation. The DPP had campaigned on tighter immigration rules, higher pensions for low-income earners and more money for healthcare and the elderly.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen has been heading the mediation … between the conservative parties for three and a half years. And he will also be heading the mediation for a cooperation in a new conservative government if this forecast becomes reality, which it seems that it will.

Kristian Jensen, Liberal Party vice chairman

Politics denmark election