Denmark's Frederiksen gets new chance to form government after centre-right talks fail

Denmark's King Frederik asked ​caretaker Prime Minister ​Mette Frederiksen on ‌Saturday to make ​a fresh attempt to form a government after centre-right talks led by ‌Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen broke down. Poulsen, leader of the right-wing Liberal Party, had been asked earlier this month to explore government options after Frederiksen's own ⁠coalition ​talks collapsed ⁠when the centrist Moderate Party walked away.

Denmark's King Frederik asked ​caretaker Prime Minister ​Mette Frederiksen on ‌Saturday to make ​a fresh attempt to form a government after centre-right talks led by ‌Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen broke down. The decision gives Frederiksen, whose Social Democrats remain Denmark's largest party despite heavy ‌election losses, another chance to secure a third consecutive ‌term in office. Poulsen, leader of the right-wing Liberal Party, had been asked earlier this month to explore government options after Frederiksen's own ⁠coalition ​talks collapsed ⁠when the centrist Moderate Party walked away. Frederiksen is likely to face ⁠pressure to make concessions to Moderate Party leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen, ​whose support is seen as pivotal after the March ⁠election left parliament split among 12 parties.

Her Social Democrats won 38 ⁠seats ​in the 179-seat parliament, down from 50 in 2022, making it their worst election result since 1903. The ⁠prolonged negotiations have slowed government decision-making at a sensitive time for ⁠Denmark, ⁠which is seeking to resolve a crisis in ties with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration over ‌Greenland.