Government and politics
The political system of Denmark is a multi-party structure, where several parties are represented in the Parliament. Danish governments are most often minority administrations, governing with the aid of one or more supporting parties. This means that Danish politics are characterised by inter-party compromising. Since 1909 no single party has had the majority of parliamentary seats.
Danish Democracy
Danish democracy is founded on thoughts the seeds of which were sown in Europe during the 18th century as a reaction against royal absolutism which infringed the freedom of the citizens. The power in society should not be imposed upon the people from above. All men are born free and equal and are therefore entitled to take part in elections in the legislative assemblies at various levels: the Folketing, the county councils and the town councils. Suffrage is the foundation of democracy. This principle was laid down in the Constitutional Act of June 1849, the main principles of which are still to be found in the present Constitutional Act of June 5th 1953. In Denmark the women gained the right to vote in 1915.
Democracy is safeguarded not only by the Constitutional Act but also by the Parliamentary Election Act of Denmark. The electoral system based upon proportional representation guarantees that representatives of all parts of the country and exponents of any point of view who have organized themselves in big minority groups, or grassroot movements, obtain seats according to the number of votes cast. The remuneration which the popularly elected receive makes it economically possible for anyone to run for election irrespective of income.
Rights and duties
It is characteristic of Danish democracy that the administration of the State is based on a voluntary agreement between the constitutional monarchy and the citizens of the country. The citizens have no direct influence on the administration of the State but exert their influence indirectly by voting. Referenda open up the possibility of gaining a direct popular influence. At the same time, the citizens acknowledge the principle that it is up to the majority to make decisions, that one is in duty bound to observe the laws, to pay taxes, to do one’s military service etc. In return for this, the Constitutional Act gives the citizens some important rights and liberties so that they are at liberty to act as they think fit in relation to their elected representatives. A majority of citizens may, through their right to vote, remove politicians whom they find unsuited to be in power. And in accordance with the last part of the Constitutional Act (Sections 71-85), all citizens are guaranteed their personal liberties and are protected against infringements e.g. in the form of the freedom of speech, and the freedom of assembly, the safeguarding of private property, equal employment opportunities and the right to benefit from social services.
The tripartition of power
In order to ensure a stable democracy and to prevent misuse of power, the supreme power in Denmark is, like in most other Western democracies, divided into three independent organs which control one another: the legislative, the executive and the judicial powers. The Folketing is the sole organ empowered to legislate. However, the Acts only take effect after receiving the Royal Assent. In practice, the Monarch is beyond the tripartition of power but Her Majesty The Queen or His Majesty The King formally exerts authority e.g. when appointing or dismissing Ministers.
The legislative and the executive powers are balanced against each other in the sense that a majority among the 179 Members of the Folketing can overthrow a Cabinet or a Minister by introducing an order paper which contains a vote of no confidence. On the other hand, the Prime Minister can dissolve the Folketing, at any time, in the hope of obtaining a more stable majority. The Ministers’ responsibility is a central point in democracy. They have extensive competences but are still under the control of the Folketing and its standing committees. In special cases, Ministers can be impeached. Moreover, the courts of justice and the Ombudsman are entitled to take care of the interests of the citizens in relation to the authorities.
Politics in the public interest
One of the main characteristics of democracy is that it is open and transparent to the general public. The entire political system from top to bottom is being controlled and criticized by the voters by means of the press and the other media. Likewise, the principle of openness has been carried through in the public administration in the sense that all citizens have the right of access to documents and can complain to the Ombudsman or to the courts of justice if they feel that they are being treated unfairly.
It is the political parties and the party organizations which have the last say when candidates are to stand for Parliament. Likewise, they see to the political "education" of the voters. The falling number of members in the party organizations are by some people seen as a danger to democracy. But the very great participation in the elections do, however, show that there are no indications of a failing interest in politics.
Danish democracy has been functioning well within the framework of the Constitutional Act for almost 150 years even though the population has increased considerably during that period and even though the political conscience of the citizens has been strengthened. In certain periods, this has given rise to violent fluctuations in the political life and to a feeling of distance between the voters and the candidates elected. Still the democracy has very strong roots in Denmark.
Danish democracy is founded on thoughts the seeds of which were sown in Europe during the 18th century as a reaction against royal absolutism which infringed the freedom of the citizens. The power in society should not be imposed upon the people from above. All men are born free and equal and are therefore entitled to take part in elections in the legislative assemblies at various levels: the Folketing, the county councils and the town councils. Suffrage is the foundation of democracy. This principle was laid down in the Constitutional Act of June 1849, the main principles of which are still to be found in the present Constitutional Act of June 5th 1953. In Denmark the women gained the right to vote in 1915.
Democracy is safeguarded not only by the Constitutional Act but also by the Parliamentary Election Act of Denmark. The electoral system based upon proportional representation guarantees that representatives of all parts of the country and exponents of any point of view who have organized themselves in big minority groups, or grassroot movements, obtain seats according to the number of votes cast. The remuneration which the popularly elected receive makes it economically possible for anyone to run for election irrespective of income.
Rights and duties
It is characteristic of Danish democracy that the administration of the State is based on a voluntary agreement between the constitutional monarchy and the citizens of the country. The citizens have no direct influence on the administration of the State but exert their influence indirectly by voting. Referenda open up the possibility of gaining a direct popular influence. At the same time, the citizens acknowledge the principle that it is up to the majority to make decisions, that one is in duty bound to observe the laws, to pay taxes, to do one’s military service etc. In return for this, the Constitutional Act gives the citizens some important rights and liberties so that they are at liberty to act as they think fit in relation to their elected representatives. A majority of citizens may, through their right to vote, remove politicians whom they find unsuited to be in power. And in accordance with the last part of the Constitutional Act (Sections 71-85), all citizens are guaranteed their personal liberties and are protected against infringements e.g. in the form of the freedom of speech, and the freedom of assembly, the safeguarding of private property, equal employment opportunities and the right to benefit from social services.
The tripartition of power
In order to ensure a stable democracy and to prevent misuse of power, the supreme power in Denmark is, like in most other Western democracies, divided into three independent organs which control one another: the legislative, the executive and the judicial powers. The Folketing is the sole organ empowered to legislate. However, the Acts only take effect after receiving the Royal Assent. In practice, the Monarch is beyond the tripartition of power but Her Majesty The Queen or His Majesty The King formally exerts authority e.g. when appointing or dismissing Ministers.
The legislative and the executive powers are balanced against each other in the sense that a majority among the 179 Members of the Folketing can overthrow a Cabinet or a Minister by introducing an order paper which contains a vote of no confidence. On the other hand, the Prime Minister can dissolve the Folketing, at any time, in the hope of obtaining a more stable majority. The Ministers’ responsibility is a central point in democracy. They have extensive competences but are still under the control of the Folketing and its standing committees. In special cases, Ministers can be impeached. Moreover, the courts of justice and the Ombudsman are entitled to take care of the interests of the citizens in relation to the authorities.
Politics in the public interest
One of the main characteristics of democracy is that it is open and transparent to the general public. The entire political system from top to bottom is being controlled and criticized by the voters by means of the press and the other media. Likewise, the principle of openness has been carried through in the public administration in the sense that all citizens have the right of access to documents and can complain to the Ombudsman or to the courts of justice if they feel that they are being treated unfairly.
It is the political parties and the party organizations which have the last say when candidates are to stand for Parliament. Likewise, they see to the political "education" of the voters. The falling number of members in the party organizations are by some people seen as a danger to democracy. But the very great participation in the elections do, however, show that there are no indications of a failing interest in politics.
Danish democracy has been functioning well within the framework of the Constitutional Act for almost 150 years even though the population has increased considerably during that period and even though the political conscience of the citizens has been strengthened. In certain periods, this has given rise to violent fluctuations in the political life and to a feeling of distance between the voters and the candidates elected. Still the democracy has very strong roots in Denmark.