Las Vegas Sun

November 10, 2009

Currently: 59° | Complete forecast | Log in

Denmark’s Political System

AP

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

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

---

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.

---

Parliament:

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

---

The candidates:

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

--

archive

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Calendar »

  • 10 Tue
  • 11 Wed
  • 12 Thu
  • 13 Fri
  • 14 Sat

All events on Tuesday »