A month after elections, Danish government talks remain in stalemate

AdvertisementDiplomacyWorldEuropeA month after elections, Danish government talks remain in stalemate

Caretaker PM Mette ‌Frederiksen has so far only won support from left-wing groups, which is not enough to secure a parliamentary majority

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ReutersPublished: 9:23pm, 24 Apr 2026Talks on forming a new Danish government are in stalemate one month on from the country’s parliamentary election, slowing decision-making amid efforts to resolve a crisis in ties with US President Donald Trump’s administration over Greenland.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mette ‌Frederiksen, armed with a royal mandate, is leading coalition talks among the 12 parties in parliament but has so far only won support from left-wing groups, which is not enough to secure a parliamentary majority.

Frederiksen’s centrist coalition lost its majority in the March 24 election as voters revolted over a cost-of-living crisis, although her Social Democratic Party remains the biggest group in parliament with 38 out of 179 seats.

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“There is no end date to the ⁠negotiations (on a new government), this must take the time that it takes,” Frederiksen told reporters late on Thursday during an EU ‌summit in Cyprus.

The centrist Moderates Party and the right-wing Liberal Party, both members of Frederiksen’s outgoing coalition, have so far rejected the idea of relying on far-left parties to secure a majority.

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What are Trump’s motivations for wanting the US to take over Greenland?

What are Trump’s motivations for wanting the US to take over Greenland?While ‌Frederiksen’s government stays until a new cabinet is appointed, it has limited decision-making powers at a time ⁠when it must also handle ⁠pressure from Trump to take over Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x