Denmark's Liberal Party has become the country's largest mayor party following municipal elections. The party now holds 39 mayor positions compared to the Social Democrats' 26 posts. Ten mayor positions remain undecided as vote counting continues.
The shift occurred despite the Social Democrats remaining the largest overall party in the election with 23.2 percent of votes. This represents a substantial decline of 5.2 percentage points from their previous result. The party lost 156 council seats nationwide, dropping to 599 total mandates.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged her party's disappointing performance. She described it as the Social Democrats' worst municipal election result in recent memory. 'We expected to decline, but the setback appears larger than anticipated,' she stated during her party's election event in Copenhagen.
The Liberal Party secured second place overall with 17.9 percent of votes. They gained five additional mayor positions compared to the previous election. Still, the party lost 99 council seats across the country.
Historical strongholds crumbled for the Social Democrats during this election. The party lost its absolute majority in Frederikshavn, a traditional stronghold. In Gladsaxe, Social Democrats lost the mayor position they had held for over a century. Deputy leader Marie Stærke also lost her mayor position in Køge Municipality.
The election revealed particularly stark losses in some municipalities. On islands like Fanø and Læsø, Social Democrats won no representation at all. This complete absence marks a dramatic shift in local political landscapes.
Danish municipal elections determine leadership for the country's 98 municipalities. These local governments handle crucial services including schools, elderly care, and local infrastructure. Mayor positions hold significant influence over budget allocations and policy implementation.
The results suggest Danish voters are reconsidering traditional party loyalties. The Social Democrats' decline comes despite their central role in national government. Some analysts suggest voters may be expressing dissatisfaction with national policies through local elections.
The Liberal Party's gain in mayor positions provides them stronger local influence. This could impact policy implementation across multiple municipalities. The outcome may also signal shifting voter priorities ahead of future national elections.
What happens next remains uncertain as ten mayor positions await assignment. Both major parties face strategic decisions about coalition building and policy direction. The final distribution of power could still shift in coming days.