COPENHAGEN – Seizing on a dramatic surge in nationalistic sentiment, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has dissolved parliament and called for an early general election on March 24, 2026.
The move is a strategic "all-in" bet by the Social Democratic leader, who hopes to convert her steadfast defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump into a fresh four-year mandate.
Speaking to a packed chamber on Thursday, Frederiksen framed the upcoming vote as a crossroads for the very identity of the Danish Kingdom.
From Domestic Slump to Global Defiance
Only months ago, Frederiksen’s government was reeling from a series of domestic setbacks. The Social Democrats had suffered historic losses in municipal elections—losing their century-long grip on the Copenhagen mayoralty—and were facing public ire over the 2023 abolition of a public holiday to fund defense spending.
However, the "Greenland Crisis" has radically altered the political landscape:
The Polling Rebound: Support for the Social Democrats has climbed from a dismal 17% in December to roughly 22-23% this month.
The "Steady Hand" Image: Much like her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Frederiksen has successfully cast herself as the protector of the realm against "new colonialism."
European Solidarity: She has effectively rallied EU heavyweights like France and Germany, who have recently rotated troops through Greenland in a symbolic rejection of U.S. expansionism.
A Campaign of Two Fronts
While the standoff with the White House takes center stage, Frederiksen is using the snap election to launch a bold domestic platform aimed at reconnecting with her base:
Sovereignty & Rearmament: Pledging to "define a new relationship" with the U.S., she has called for accelerated military spending to ensure Europe can "stand on its own two feet."
The "Wealth Tax" Proposal: In a surprise move, she announced plans for a wealth tax aimed at generating 6 billion kroner ($870 million) to bolster primary education.
Property Tax Relief: To appease middle-class voters, she proposed abolishing property taxes for homes valued under 1 million kroner.
The Opposition Response
The election will be a grueling test for Denmark's "crisis government"—a rare centrist coalition between the Social Democrats, the Liberals, and the Moderates. While the coalition has stood united against Trump, it is expected to lose its majority as parties revert to traditional left-right battle lines.
Opposition parties on the left, such as the Green Left, are already campaigning on the reinstatement of the "Great Prayer Day" holiday, while right-wing challengers accuse the PM of using the Greenland crisis to distract from "regulatory red tape" and a persistent housing shortage.
"Winter has finally let go and the days are getting longer and brighter," Frederiksen told the Folketing. "It will soon be spring—and the Danes will soon be going to the polls."
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