Rising food and fuel prices drive Danish voters back to anti-immigration party

Dansk Folkeparti (DF) has emerged as the biggest winner in Denmark’s parliamentary election, tripling its seats after a campaign focused on soaring living costs, reports public broadcaster DR.

The party secured 9.1 percent of the vote, up from near the electoral threshold in 2022, winning 16 seats—its strongest result in years. Support surged particularly in Zealand and Southern Jutland, where voters cited food and fuel prices as key concerns.

In Rønnede, South Zealand, where DF became the largest party with 21 percent of votes, mother of five Sofie Rewitz said grocery and transport costs drove her decision. “It’s the food prices—I have five children. And fuel, because my kids go to different schools, and public transport doesn’t match the schedules. Driving is expensive.”

Similar frustrations were echoed in Vojens, Southern Jutland, where DF won 18 percent. Local voter Søren Waldemar called price hikes “deplorable,” adding, “Diesel and petrol shouldn’t cost this much. Food is far too expensive. That’s why I voted DF.”

Analysts attribute the party’s gains to its high-profile campaign against rising costs, including a stunt where leader Morten Messerschmidt subsidized fuel at stations in Faxe. Voter analyst Sune Steffen Hansen noted that polling data shows DF supporters are disproportionately frustrated by inflation.

Rune Stubager, an election researcher at Aarhus University, said the fuel campaign resonated in rural and small-town areas where car dependency is high. “These are places with tighter budgets and fewer transport alternatives. The message had strong cut-through.”

Even traditional left-wing voters switched sides. Peter Jørndrup, a Rønnede resident who previously backed socialist parties, cited DF’s pension promises: “Messerschmidt says we need more money. It’s badly needed—our pensions are two years behind inflation, and price rises hit hard.”