Denmark’s Political System

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 | 3:15 a.m.

Facts and figures on Denmark's parliamentary elections held Tuesday.

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Voters:

Of Denmark's 5.4 million people, just over 4 million are eligible to vote, according to Interior Ministry figures. Danish citizens aged 18 or older can vote.

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Parliament:

The 179-member unicameral legislature, the Folketing, sits for a maximum four-year term.

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The candidates:

There were 808 candidates representing nine parties and 12 independents - 260 women and 548 men, according to Interior Ministry figures.

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The system:

Proportional representation, in which a party must get at least 2 percent of the vote to win a seat. Greenland and the Faeroe Islands - two semi-independent Danish territories - are represented by two deputies each.

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Turnout:

Turnout in Denmark usually is high. In 2005, it was 84.5 percent while it was 87.1 percent in 2001. The highest turnout was in 1943 with 89.5 percent.

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The government:

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen heads a two-party minority government consisting of his own Liberal Party and the Conservative Party of Economics Minister Bendt Bendtsen. They have a parliamentary majority with the support of the nationalist Danish People's Party.