Denmark's Mette Frederiksen to form government after months of negotiations

EPA

Months since Denmark’s general election, acting prime minister Mette Frederiksen, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, will form a centre-left coalition minority government.

Twelve parties won seats in March’s inconclusive election. The Social Democrats won the most votes but saw their weakest performance since 1903.

Speaking to reporters after meeting King Frederik X, Frederiksen said the deal was reached following long and fraught negotiations, adding that she would present the new cabinet on Wednesday.

The deal gives her a third term as prime minister at a time when US President Donald Trump has said he wants to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark.

With 21.9% of the vote, Frederiksen’s party won just 38 seats in the March election – losing 12 and falling well short of the 90 needed to form a majority.

The coalition will consist of Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party, the centre-left Radikale Venstre and the centrist Moderates, according to a statement from the palace.

“His Majesty the King is expected to receive the new government at Amalienborg on Wednesday 3 June 2026 in the morning,” the statement said. Amalienborg is the official residence of the Danish royal family in Copenhagen.

Frederiksen informed the King while he was on board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog, the family’s residence when they are on summer cruises or official visits overseas.

Denmark’s public broadcaster DR noted on its website that the country had spent 69 days without a new government.

In addition to addressing Trump’s calls for the US to acquire Greenland, citing its strategic importance for US national security, Frederiksen will have to address domestic concerns including the cost of living, the state of the economy and welfare worries.

Other central issues for voters were animal rights, the high level of pesticides in drinking water because of pig farming, and agriculture’s climate footprint overall.

“We look forward to telling you more about the political basis tomorrow. Because it is politics that is good for both the people who are in Denmark. The generations that will come. And for the animals,” the 48-year-old Frederiksen wrote on Instagram late on Monday night.

After the March election, the Social Democrats’ main right-wing rival, the Liberal party Venstre, also had their worst results for over a century, with just 10.1%, falling behind the Green Left SF.

The far-right Danish People’s Party, more than tripled its result to nine percent of votes.

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