Danish government deal reached with four-party minority coalition

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced Monday evening that four parties have agreed to form a new government, though the coalition will not hold a majority in parliament.

Speaking to reporters after meeting King Frederik aboard the royal yacht in Odense, Frederiksen said the government platform would serve “the people of Denmark, future generations—and the animals.” The coalition includes her Social Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party (SF), the Moderates, and the Radical Liberals, which together control 82 of the 179 seats in the Folketing.

The policy agreement will be published Tuesday, with cabinet ministers named Wednesday. A palace statement confirmed the king had formally tasked Frederiksen with forming the administration, noting it had “support from a majority of parties in the Folketing” without specifying which ones. The new government is expected to be received at Amalienborg Palace on Wednesday morning.

This marks Frederiksen’s second attempt as royal investigator to broker a deal. After her first round failed, Venstre leader Troels Lund Poulsen took over negotiations but resigned on May 22. Talks resumed on May 24, following the March 24 general election.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre congratulated Frederiksen, calling Nordic cooperation “more important than ever.”