Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats suffered a major setback in Tuesday’s local elections. They finished third in Copenhagen, losing control of the capital for the first time since 1903. The result represents both a symbolic and strategic blow, highlighting waning support among urban voters who have long been part of the party’s core base.
Their lead candidate, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, acknowledged the defeat, describing it as “completely impossible” to win the Lord Mayor’s post. Negotiations to select Copenhagen’s new Lord Mayor are ongoing, with Social Democrats reportedly excluded from talks.
The party’s declining performance aligns with national trends, with it securing only 23.2% of city council votes compared to 28.4% in 2021—raising questions about Frederiksen’s prospects in the upcoming general election.
Meanwhile in the background, the question of Greenland’s independence from Denmark continues to simmer.
