Leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party Mette Frederiksen (C, Rear), leader of the liberals (Venstre) Jakob Ellemann-Jensen (L, Rear) and leader of the Moderates Lars Lokke Rasmussen (R, Rear) attend a press conference at Marienborg in Denmark, on Dec. 14, 2022. Six weeks after Denmark's general election, acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outlined the agreement on Wednesday for a new centrist government coalition. Frederiksen, leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, will stay as prime minister for a second term, leading a coalition with the liberals (Venstre) headed by Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and the newly established Moderates led by Lars Lokke Rasmussen. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Six weeks after Denmark's general election, acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outlined the agreement on Wednesday for a new centrist government coalition.
Frederiksen, leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, will stay as prime minister for a second term, leading a coalition with the liberals (Venstre) headed by Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and the newly established Moderates led by Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
The three parties hold a combined 89 seats in the 179-seat Parliament. The breakdown is: Social Democratic Party, 50 seats; Liberal Party, 23 seats; and Moderates, 16 seats, which means that in practice they will have a majority.
The alliance between former political adversaries with opposing ideologies is an unexpected deviation from the traditional Red (left) Bloc or Blue (right) Bloc foundation for government in Denmark.
During the election, Ellemann-Jensen and Rasmussen both derisively dismissed being in any government should it be led by Frederiksen. However, on Wednesday, Ellemann-Jensen thanked Frederiksen for the opportunity to "stand together."
"Despite our disagreements, we have decided to go together. We have all had to reach out to each other. The result is a reform government that will address the challenges the country is facing," Ellemann-Jensen said.
Likewise, former Prime Minister Rasmussen said he was happy to join a broad government, "something he opened the door to four years ago."
"To put it bluntly, I am proud to stand here today and to help create a new government for Denmark. This is the moment of liberation again," he said.
Frederiksen presented the new government program, a 63-page document titled "Responsibility for Denmark," and said that her country and Europe are both entering uncertain times and need to "take responsibility and cooperate across the board."
The new government, to be formally presented on Thursday, aims to boost employment, make Denmark carbon neutral by 2045 and reform the taxation rules. ■
Leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party Mette Frederiksen (R) and leader of the liberals (Venstre) Jakob Ellemann-Jensen attend a press conference at Marienborg in Denmark, on Dec. 14, 2022. Six weeks after Denmark's general election, acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outlined the agreement on Wednesday for a new centrist government coalition. Frederiksen, leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, will stay as prime minister for a second term, leading a coalition with the liberals (Venstre) headed by Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and the newly established Moderates led by Lars Lokke Rasmussen. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
Leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party Mette Frederiksen (L, Rear) and leader of the Moderates Lars Lokke Rasmussen (R, Rear) attend a press conference at Marienborg in Denmark, on Dec. 14, 2022. Six weeks after Denmark's general election, acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outlined the agreement on Wednesday for a new centrist government coalition. Frederiksen, leader of the left-wing Social Democratic Party, will stay as prime minister for a second term, leading a coalition with the liberals (Venstre) headed by Jakob Ellemann-Jensen and the newly established Moderates led by Lars Lokke Rasmussen. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
