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Denmark election: Exit polls point to centre-left win Denmark election: Centre-left head for narrow victory
(40 minutes later)
Exit polls in Denmark's general election suggest a narrow win for the centre-left opposition, taking at least 89 out of 179 seats. Denmark's centre-left opposition is heading for a narrow victory in a general election, partial results show.
If confirmed, the result would make Social Democratic leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt Denmark's first woman prime minister. With 90% of the vote counted, the "Red Bloc" of Social Democratic leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is set to win 89 seats in the 179-strong parliament.
The centre-right has held power in Denmark for a decade, supported by the anti-immigrant People's Party. If confirmed, the result would make Ms Thorning-Schmidt Denmark's first woman prime minister.
The centre-right - supported by the anti-immigrant People's Party (DPP) - are predicted to take 86 seats.
The "Blue Bloc", currently led by Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, have held power in Denmark for a decade.
The country has seen its worst economic downturn since World War II.The country has seen its worst economic downturn since World War II.
The poll by Denmark's national broadcaster DR, based on half the votes cast, predicted the centre-left bloc would get at least 89 seats, while the centre-right would take 86.
Commercial TV2 gave the centre-left 92 seats to the governing bloc's 87.
Although Denmark is a member of the EU, it has chosen not to adopt the euro.Although Denmark is a member of the EU, it has chosen not to adopt the euro.
Earlier exit polls, released two hours after the end of voting, showed Ms Thorning-Schmidt's "red bloc" with a seven-seat advantage over the centre-right government coalition led by Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. '12 extra minutes'
Mr Rasmussen's liberal-conservative "blue bloc" has long relied on a nationalist party, the Danish People's Party (DPP), to push legislation through parliament. Mr Rasmussen's liberal-conservative alliance has long relied on the DPP to push legislation through parliament.
The recent decision of Denmark, a Schengen state, to reimpose border controls came after pressure from the DPP, the third-biggest party in parliament.The recent decision of Denmark, a Schengen state, to reimpose border controls came after pressure from the DPP, the third-biggest party in parliament.
However, correspondents say the main issue of the election is the health of the national finances. However, the main issue of the election is the health of the national finances.
The economic crisis has turned healthy surpluses into deficits, estimated to climb to 4.6% of GDP next year. Ms Thorning-Schmidt campaigned on a platform of tax rises and increased public spending, the BBC's Thomas Buch-Andersen in Copenhagen reports.
Although Mr Rasmussen is considered to have done well to steer Denmark through the financial crisis, its economic rebound is seen as sluggish and disappointing, our correspondent adds.
The economic crisis has turned Denmark's healthy surpluses into deficits, estimated to climb to 4.6% of GDP next year.
Local banks have also been struggling, with nine taken over by the state since the start of the crisis in 2008.Local banks have also been struggling, with nine taken over by the state since the start of the crisis in 2008.
Ms Thorning-Schmidt has accused Mr Rasmussen of failing to spur growth and allowing the deficit to grow.Ms Thorning-Schmidt has accused Mr Rasmussen of failing to spur growth and allowing the deficit to grow.
She advocates increased government spending, along with an unusual plan to make everyone work 12 minutes more per day, Reuters news agency reports.She advocates increased government spending, along with an unusual plan to make everyone work 12 minutes more per day, Reuters news agency reports.
An extra hour of productivity each week, the Social Democrats argue, would help kick-start growth.An extra hour of productivity each week, the Social Democrats argue, would help kick-start growth.
"Denmark needs change, Denmark needs to move on and Denmark needs my leadership," Ms Thorning-Schmidt said."Denmark needs change, Denmark needs to move on and Denmark needs my leadership," Ms Thorning-Schmidt said.
The Social Democrat leader is a former MEP (member of the European Parliament) and married to Stephen Kinnock, son of British Labour Party politicians Neil and Glenys Kinnock.The Social Democrat leader is a former MEP (member of the European Parliament) and married to Stephen Kinnock, son of British Labour Party politicians Neil and Glenys Kinnock.
Mr Rasmussen advocates austerity measures, including an end to the early retirement system.Mr Rasmussen advocates austerity measures, including an end to the early retirement system.
"In the middle of a worldwide crisis, Danes are faced with a clear choice: uncontrolled debt or permanent welfare," he said on Wednesday."In the middle of a worldwide crisis, Danes are faced with a clear choice: uncontrolled debt or permanent welfare," he said on Wednesday.
The politician is widely known by his middle name Lokke in part because he is Denmark's third prime minister in a row to have the surname Rasmussen, although the three are not related.The politician is widely known by his middle name Lokke in part because he is Denmark's third prime minister in a row to have the surname Rasmussen, although the three are not related.