Credited from: LATIMES
Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, 2026, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen aims to capitalize on a rise in her popularity from her strong stance against U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in annexing Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Frederiksen has been rallying European leaders in defense of Denmark's sovereignty, an action that has reportedly boosted her domestic approval, especially as public discontent with rising living costs continues to grow, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.
In her announcement, Frederiksen described the upcoming election as "decisive," stating, “We must define our relationship with the United States and rearm to ensure peace on our continent.” This statement reflects a growing sentiment within Denmark regarding its security posture in light of ongoing tensions, particularly given Trump's threats regarding Greenland, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.
The election will determine the composition of the Folketing (parliament), which comprises 179 seats, with representation from both Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Frederiksen's government, a coalition that includes her Social Democrats, the Liberal Party, and the Moderates, faces scrutiny over domestic issues, particularly rising living costs and welfare pressures, as they also deal with the fallout from recent electoral losses, including their first defeat in the Copenhagen mayor's office in over a century, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.
Amidst these challenges, polls suggest that Frederiksen's handling of the Greenland situation, where she presented a strong and clear opposition to Trump's advances, has improved her party's standing from a low of 18% to 22.1%, indicating a significant rebound in support as the election approaches. This electoral campaign will especially test her ability to balance international leadership while addressing the pressing domestic concerns of the Danish populace, as cited by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.