Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats have emerged as the strongest party in Denmark’s general election but are heading for a historically poor result, initial projections showed on Tuesday after the polls closed.
It is not yet certain how, or indeed whether, Frederiksen will be able to govern the country for a third term.
Exit polls conducted by the major television broadcasters DR and TV2 Tuesday evening pointed to an unclear balance of power.
The three parties that have formed Frederiksen’s administration – the Social Democrats, the centre-right Venstre and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s Moderates – are expected to fall well short of a majority.
Even a traditional left-green alliance would, according to the projections, be dependent on the support of another party, most likely the centrist Moderates.
Around 4.3 million Danes were eligible to vote. A provisional final result could be confirmed in the course of Tuesday night.
Frederiksen is seeking a third term after a row with Washington over the future of Greenland thrust her into the international spotlight.
The vote comes amid months of heightened tensions over US President Donald Trump’s push to take control of the semi-autonomous Arctic island.
Frederiksen’s firm rejection of Trump’s bid boosted her approval ratings, helping to stabilize her government after a period of declining support.
Seeking to capitalize on that momentum, Frederiksen called a snap election last month. She sought to present herself as a reliable crisis manager.
Projections indicated, however, that the party risked getting its weakest result in more than a century amid voter discontent over cuts to social programmes and the rising cost of living.