Denmark’s left-wing bloc headed by Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen won Tuesday’s general election but failed to secure a majority, as the Social Democrats posted their weakest showing in more than 120 years.
With all votes counted, the left-wing bloc was credited with 84 seats in the 179-seat parliament and the right with 77.
The centrist Moderate party, headed by foreign minister and former prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, became kingmaker with 14 seats, and thorny negotiations are expected in the coming weeks to build a coalition government.
The 48-year-old Frederiksen is known for strong support of Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s invasion and for a restrictive approach to migration, continuing what has become a tradition in Danish politics.
Frederiksen called the election in February, several months before she had to. She apparently hoped that her resolute image in the stand-off over US President Donald Trump’s push for control of Greenland, rallying European allies behind Denmark, would help her with voters.
Her support had previously waned as the cost of living rose, something that, along with pensions and a potential wealth tax, has been a prominent campaign issue.