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Denmark election: Social Democrats win as PM admits defeat Denmark election: Social Democrats win as PM admits defeat
(about 1 hour later)
Denmark's Liberal Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has conceded victory in the country's general election, paving the way for Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen to take power.Denmark's Liberal Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has conceded victory in the country's general election, paving the way for Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen to take power.
"We had a really good election, but there will be a change of government," the prime minister told supporters."We had a really good election, but there will be a change of government," the prime minister told supporters.
The Social Democrats won 91 of the 179 seats in parliament. The bloc led by the centre-left Social Democrats' won 91 of the 179 seats in parliament.
At 41, Ms Frederiksen is set to be the country's youngest ever prime minister.At 41, Ms Frederiksen is set to be the country's youngest ever prime minister.
The general election was dominated by debates over climate change, welfare cuts and immigration.The general election was dominated by debates over climate change, welfare cuts and immigration.
Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party has been in power for 14 of the last 18 years.Mr Rasmussen's Liberal Party has been in power for 14 of the last 18 years.
The exit polls suggested that support for the far-right Danish People's Party (DF) had more than halved since the last election in 2015.The exit polls suggested that support for the far-right Danish People's Party (DF) had more than halved since the last election in 2015.
The party has offered its support to successive right-wing governments over the past two decades in exchange for stricter policies on immigration.The party has offered its support to successive right-wing governments over the past two decades in exchange for stricter policies on immigration.
But with major parties, including the Social Democrats, adopting restrictive immigration policies in this election, observers say the DF has lost its unique appeal.But with major parties, including the Social Democrats, adopting restrictive immigration policies in this election, observers say the DF has lost its unique appeal.
Denmark is to become the third Nordic country in a year to elect a leftist government, following Sweden and Finland.Denmark is to become the third Nordic country in a year to elect a leftist government, following Sweden and Finland.
Who are the major parties?Who are the major parties?
Denmark's main parties are traditionally organised into the left-wing "red bloc" and right-wing "blue bloc".Denmark's main parties are traditionally organised into the left-wing "red bloc" and right-wing "blue bloc".
The five-party red bloc is headed by the centre-left Social Democrats, who have spent the past four years in opposition.The five-party red bloc is headed by the centre-left Social Democrats, who have spent the past four years in opposition.
During the campaign, the Social Democrats pledged to increase public spending, increase taxes for businesses and the wealthy, and partially roll back pension reforms so that people who have worked for 40 years can retire earlier.During the campaign, the Social Democrats pledged to increase public spending, increase taxes for businesses and the wealthy, and partially roll back pension reforms so that people who have worked for 40 years can retire earlier.
The blue bloc is splintered into eight parties, of which three are newcomers.The blue bloc is splintered into eight parties, of which three are newcomers.
The pro-EU Liberal Party (Venstre) has ruled Denmark since 2015, forming a coalition with the Conservative People's Party and the Liberal Alliance.The pro-EU Liberal Party (Venstre) has ruled Denmark since 2015, forming a coalition with the Conservative People's Party and the Liberal Alliance.
It became the biggest Danish party in the European Parliament last month and promised in the national elections to put extra money into the welfare system and crack down on immigration.It became the biggest Danish party in the European Parliament last month and promised in the national elections to put extra money into the welfare system and crack down on immigration.
What were the key issues?What were the key issues?
Welfare: Many voters were concerned over the fate of the country's cherished welfare model, which has faced years of cuts amid struggles by successive governments to deal with ageing populations. Danes pay some of the highest taxes in the world to support a generous cradle-to-grave welfare state. But they say cuts mean they are increasingly paying for services that used to be free and worry that further austerity measures could erode key services such as health care and education.Welfare: Many voters were concerned over the fate of the country's cherished welfare model, which has faced years of cuts amid struggles by successive governments to deal with ageing populations. Danes pay some of the highest taxes in the world to support a generous cradle-to-grave welfare state. But they say cuts mean they are increasingly paying for services that used to be free and worry that further austerity measures could erode key services such as health care and education.
The environment: Some 57% of Danes wanted the next government to prioritise climate change, according to a Gallup poll released in February. For younger voters, aged between 18 and 35, the figure was 69%.The environment: Some 57% of Danes wanted the next government to prioritise climate change, according to a Gallup poll released in February. For younger voters, aged between 18 and 35, the figure was 69%.
Immigration: Major parties on the right and left adopted anti-immigration policies. Both the Liberal Party and the Social Democrats said doing so would help to protect the welfare system.Immigration: Major parties on the right and left adopted anti-immigration policies. Both the Liberal Party and the Social Democrats said doing so would help to protect the welfare system.