Denmark's new government agreed
The new government in Copenhagen is composed of parties both left and right of the centre. The cross-party cabinet, a rare constellation for Denmark, will consist of the Social Democrats, the conservative-liberal Venstre party and the liberal Moderates, the current Social Democratic caretaker prime minister Mette Frederiksen announced. The press is cautiously optimistic.
A welcome turning point
Politiken approves:
“Shortly after 8 pm on 13 December 2022, a new era in Danish politics began. ... For the first time in decades, the country will be governed by a centrist alliance. This is certainly a day of joy, a necessary political new beginning. Mette Frederiksen wants to create a 'new balance' in Danish politics. Denmark needs a government with the necessary democratic legitimacy to push for viable reforms to preserve our welfare state and to reshape our defence policy according to the new situation with a war in Europe.”
Shared responsibility in difficult times
The coalition construct entails both opportunities and risks, says Berlingske:
“Experience in other countries shows that broad-based governments tend to produce weak compromises, paralysis and the undemocratic exclusion of the other parties. One area, however, provides a strong argument for a broad-based centrist government: Denmark is exposed to the threat posed by Russia, and the war in Ukraine has shown that our national defence is not sufficiently up to the challenges ahead. ... Therefore, it makes sense to distribute the corresponding responsibilities among several parties - especially with regard to the preparation of concrete decisions.”