A dramatic political shift has occurred in Gladsaxe Municipality as Social Democratic Mayor Trine Græse was removed from power. The longtime mayor described feeling betrayed after what she characterized as a political coup.
Græse expressed deep disappointment about the turn of events. She stated she did not deserve this outcome and emphasized that Gladsaxe residents deserved better. The former mayor had served the municipality where Social Democrats held power for 112 consecutive years.
The new mayor will be Serdal Benli from the Socialist People's Party (SF). He managed to unite all parties except the Social Democrats and Danish People's Party behind his leadership. This coalition building proved decisive in the power transition.
Græse revealed the two parties had reached an agreement in August. They agreed that if they could assemble a majority, she would continue as mayor with Benli as deputy mayor. That majority appeared secure until recent developments.
I am surprised you cannot rely on such an agreement, Græse said. This happens sometimes in politics. But I do not think Gladsaxe deserves a mayor where you cannot count on an agreement. She delivered the same message in a video on the municipality's official Facebook page.
When asked if she saw this coming, Græse responded simply. I thought I could rely on an agreement, she stated.
Benli described feeling both proud and overwhelmed by his new position. This is naturally a dream, he said. I have been in politics for many years. To be here today where I have become mayor in the city I grew up in and have my roots is indescribable and big.
The political mathematics behind the shift reveals interesting dynamics. Social Democrats remained the largest party in Gladsaxe with 25 percent of votes. SF became second largest with just over 16 percent support.
Græse recounted how parties gathered at city hall last night. She had made an agreement with Benli to meet in her office to review the numbers together. Then suddenly she could not reach Benli.
He came with some cold excuse about needing to pick up his parents at a strange time, she explained. He did not answer the phone when I tried calling him later to ask when he would return.
The loss marks the end of an era for Social Democrats in Gladsaxe. After 112 years of governance, the party now moves to opposition benches.
And it is not nice, Græse said. But the worst part is that it happens the way it does. It is not nice to find out you cannot trust cooperation partners you otherwise had a close and confidential cooperation with.
Græse believes she succeeded in creating good and broad cooperation in the city council. That made her especially surprised that all parties now support Benli.
Can you trust Serdal Benli in an agreement? I can doubt that, she stated. I would also doubt that if I were the other parties.
Benli himself maintains he is trustworthy. A broad section of parties in Gladsaxe city council has shown me this by supporting a constitution agreement where six parties besides SF stand behind me, he argued. I have also shown in my work in the city council that you can trust me.
When asked directly if he orchestrated a coup against Græse and Social Democrats, Benli acknowledged their disappointment. I understand the Social Democrats' disappointment, he said before pausing. There is a broad majority that wants Gladsaxe to be a municipality where we solve challenges together. That is what I have reached out for.
Pressed again on whether this constituted a coup, Benli rejected the characterization. I would not say it is a coup, he responded. This is democracy. Whoever can gather a broad majority also ends up getting the mayor position. That is what is the case here.
Danish municipal politics often features such coalition building, but the breakdown of established agreements raises questions about political trust. The Gladsaxe political drama reflects broader tensions in Danish local governance where traditional alliances face new pressures.
International observers of Nordic politics will note this as another example of shifting municipal alliances. The outcome demonstrates how smaller parties can leverage their position in fragmented political landscapes. For Gladsaxe residents, the change brings uncertainty after more than a century of stable Social Democratic leadership.