Denmark's Frederiksen secures third term as prime minister


Denmark's acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to members of the media after her visit to the King at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark, May 23, 2026. Ritzau Scanpix/Emil Helms/via REUTERS

COPENHAGEN, June 1 (Reuters) - ⁠Denmark's Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen said on ⁠Monday she has agreed to form a centre-left ‌coalition government, maintaining her grip on power amid a crisis in ties with U.S. President Donald Trump over the future of Greenland.

The ​deal to form a minority cabinet ⁠gives Frederiksen a ⁠third consecutive term as prime minister, ending months of uncertainty ⁠after ‌a March election in which 12 parties won seats in the Danish parliament.

"I have been ⁠to see His Majesty the King and ​announced that ‌a government can be formed after long negotiations," Frederiksen ⁠told reporters.

Her ​centrist coalition lost its majority in the March 24 vote as Danes revolted over a cost-of-living crisis, although ⁠the Social Democratic Party remained the ​biggest group in parliament with 38 out of 179 seats, down from 50.

After more than two months of haggling, ⁠where the Social Democrats and the right-wing Liberals each sought to lead a new government, it was the 48-year-old Frederiksen who secured the necessary backing from parties ​in parliament.

The government's immediate to-do list ⁠includes diplomatic talks over Greenland, which Trump has threatened ​to annex, and a rapid ‌build-up of Denmark's military as security ​in Europe deteriorates amid Russia's war in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Brazil authorities say two suspected Ebola cases tested negative
Choose France summit secures record 93 bln euros in investment pledges
Zelenskiy says Ukrainian military can hit Russian logistics throughout occupied areas
1st LD Writethru: 4 killed as small aircraft crashes during takeoff in Colombia
Two explosions hit cargo vessel in Gulf off Iraq, officials say
EU urges BiH to speed up reforms for EU membership
Libya reiterates rejection of irregular migrant settlement
Mexico's Sheinbaum escalates rhetoric against U.S., blames far-right 'offensive'
Zimbabwe sets up Ebola isolation facilities amid regional outbreak
Urgent: 4 killed as small plane crashes during takeoff in Colombia

Others Also Read