Audiences with Margrethe & the Political Role of the Danish Monarch: 2004 - 2023

[gerry]

I place this here because foreign ambassadors in DK is a part of the work done by the DRF.

DR1 has started a (positive) portrait of the American ambassador and they aired the first episode tonight.
I thought it might be interesting for American members in particular to get a glimpse into what an American is actually doing on a daily basis in a small, friendly and peaceful country.
I watched it because I would like to know too about what goes on behind the scenes.
I see that it's PET who escorts the ambassador outside the embassy. I recognice one of the PET officers, she has also protected the DRF.
Frederik makes a very brief appearance in this segment.

You should be able to understand about 90%+, because it's mostly in English.
I believe you may be able to view this link: Jeg er ambassadøren fra Amerika (1:6) | TV | DR

The ambassadorial residence is BTW located close to J&M's new home.

mange tak, Muhler for posting this interesting film about the American ambassador to Denmark. Of course, the Ambassador of the United States is not your 'typical ambassador' as these are almost always political appointments that begin and end with the administration of individual presidents. For this reason, this film is a fascinating look into the world of Barack Obama and his circle, so thank you and Danish television for this unique opportunity. I don't think that the typical ambassador would have the budget to entertain on the level of his American excellency, nor would he (or she) have the large staff to get through the day like this one doesIndeed, a very entertaining and informative programme

 

[Muhler]

Thank you, Gerry.

I was in doubt whether this would interest anyone.
Of course the programme was an opportunity to create a positive image and as we all know the Americans are damn good at marketing!
It seems to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the US ambassadors often not being professionel diplomats, may resort more to "entertaining" and leave the heavier diplomacy to the professionals.

The appointment of non-professional diplomats may indeed lead to untraditional approaches but also to embarrassment, as not all appointed ambassadors are equally...qualified. (The ambassador to Norway springs to mind. You can find him on YouTube).

Anyway, since this show was filmed during the summer this year, we can expect to see more of certainly M&F, as they attended several events with the American ambassador - but perhaps also J&M, since one of our Marie's close friends, Dennis Knudsen, is gay. And the American ambassador has, I understand, very much made an appearance on the Copenhagen gay scene.

BTW Gerry, I enjoyed very much the docu on Canadian history. Thanks.

It is indeed a small world, Polyesco. I guess your friend met the ambassador while he was living in California?

 

[gerry]

Thank you, Gerry.

I was in doubt whether this would interest anyone.
Of course the programme was an opportunity to create a positive image and as we all know the Americans are damn good at marketing!
It seems to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the US ambassadors often not being professionel diplomats, may resort more to "entertaining" and leave the heavier diplomacy to the professionals.

The appointment of non-professional diplomats may indeed lead to untraditional approaches but also to embarrassment, as not all appointed ambassadors are equally...qualified. (The ambassador to Norway springs to mind. You can find him on YouTube).

Anyway, since this show was filmed during the summer this year, we can expect to see more of certainly M&F, as they attended several events with the American ambassador - but perhaps also J&M, since one of our Marie's close friends, Dennis Knudsen, is gay. And the American ambassador has, I understand, very much made an appearance on the Copenhagen gay scene.

BTW Gerry, I enjoyed very much the docu on Canadian history. Thanks.

It is indeed a small world, Polyesco. I guess your friend met the ambassador while he was living in California?

I think, Muhler, that the American ambassador was quite correct when he said 'diplomacy is about relationships'. Both political and non political ambassadors are representative of their home country's best interests; in the American ambassador's case, he is thoroughly briefed on what his country's/his president's message is and it is his job to deliver that message in whatever way he/she sees fit or, more realistically, can afford! The question of the ambassador's sexuality is an interesting one; is it a distraction? will Danish people take him/his country seriously? I would think and hope that his sexual orientation is irrelevant, but it has been known to get people into trouble
I am glad you enjoyed the youtube version of 'Canada, A people's history; I am still waiting for a link to the Danish 1864 and hope fellow board members can help out!

 

[Muhler]

I think, Muhler, that the American ambassador was quite correct when he said 'diplomacy is about relationships'. Both political and non political ambassadors are representative of their home country's best interests; in the American ambassador's case, he is thoroughly briefed on what his country's/his president's message is and it is his job to deliver that message in whatever way he/she sees fit or, more realistically, can afford! The question of the ambassador's sexuality is an interesting one; is it a distraction? will Danish people take him/his country seriously? I would think and hope that his sexual orientation is irrelevant, but it has been known to get people into trouble
I am glad you enjoyed the youtube version of 'Canada, A people's history; I am still waiting for a link to the Danish 1864 and hope fellow board members can help out!

You will find links to 1864 here: Søg | TV | DR
Don't know if you can watch them outside DK and there are of course no foreign subtitles.
- Then that's an advantage! I think the series is better to watch if you know little about the Schleswigan Wars and the people depicted, it's even better if you don't understand a word. Then you can enjoy the admittedly beautiful camerawork without distractions.
I dropped the series after the third episode.

But back to the American ambassador. Glad you enjoyed the docu and even more pleased that you could understand as much as possible.
The ambassador's homosexuality does not work against him. On the contrary I'd say, the "opinion-elite" and the "PC-elite" have virtually rolled out the red carpet for him, because he is gay.
The rest of the population, i.e. the more sane of us, don't care one hoot. That is those who even know he is gay.
I haven't heard anyone have anything against the American ambassador because he is gay. People simply don't care.

If I'm wrong I hope my fellow Danes will correct me.

 

[Roskilde]

(...)

But back to the American ambassador. Glad you enjoyed the docu and even more pleased that you could understand as much as possible.
The ambassador's homosexuality does not work against him. On the contrary I'd say, the "opinion-elite" and the "PC-elite" have virtually rolled out the red carpet for him, because he is gay.
The rest of the population, i.e. the more sane of us, don't care one hoot. That is those who even know he is gay.
I haven't heard anyone have anything against the American ambassador because he is gay. People simply don't care.

If I'm wrong I hope my fellow Danes will correct me.

No, you are spot on, Muhler. So nothing to add.

We are, thankfully, reasonably well advanced in this respect. In fact, we have several politicians in our parliament who are gay. Some have talked openly about it, others have not. Most likely because it's totally irrelevant. If people are knowledgeable, sympathetic and committed we like them - and we don't care if they are gay or not. And why should we?

I have from the start like the American ambassador. He seems capable and seems to has a pleasant personality.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

i think thats great, they are not hidden from the people like other royal families, do any other royal families allow that?

I don't think any royal family is "hidden from the people"...

Apart from that, I can tell from my native country (the Netherlands) that you are always free to request an audience with the King but this is very rarely allowed.

Reason: there are 297.000, professional, educated en well-paid civil servants working in the service of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Even when Dutch citizens feel they are not heard by this enormous amount of civic bureacracy, then there is the Office of the National Ombudsman where a complaint can be laid down. In case of conflicts with the State or lower levels (provinces, municipalities) one can start a juridical procedure before the Council of State (which is formally presided by the King).

That is one reason. The second reason is the ministerial responsibility, the Dutch Constitution says: "The King is inviolable, the ministers are responsible". Any citizen whom applies for an audience and talks to the King about problems or something can cause the King to speak out about political sensitive matters or to request services of state to interfere. The Dutch system thinks that is better to keep the King out of the "mud" and remain above all this. When finally there IS an audience, eventual questions will be directed by the King towards his Cabinet, he will request the director of his Cabinet to take care of questions or requests.



The Danish practice of "open audiences" seem not very applicable in the Dutch system.

 

[Muhler]

The second part of the portrait of the American ambassador was aired tonight: Jeg er ambassadøren fra Amerika (2:6) | TV | DR

This time mainly on the LGBT issues and the ambassador being gay. He is actually acting under direct instruction from the Obama administration to put focus on that topic. Apart from that it's the continuation of "charm the Danes diplomacy". And well, so far you Americans need not be embarrassed.
We also see his struggle with learning Danish, and being an English speaker, he will have faced the same problems as Mary.

Talking about other very fine American ambassadors. Especially Americans may wish to follow this show: Alt For Danmark, which can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lXLzridkoM
It's something as rare as a good natured elimination-reality show, that's even educational!
The concept was that a number of Americans with Danish roots went to DK to compete about a price and an opportunity to meet their Danish relatives.
Now, because they managed to cast very likable people and the show was done in a positive lighthearted spirit it became a big success when aired here in DK, in particular among the young, and you actually felt sorry for the contestants who were eliminated, rather than indifference or glee.
As such these ordinary Americans became very good ambassadors for USA.
Should you watch it, you will be introduced to a very broad segment of Danish culture as the contestants were taken all over the country, something extremely few foreign visitors ever will. (You should be able to understand some 85 % of what is going on. I had two favorites a young woman who matured through the show and another who opened up).
QMII makes an appearance in one of the episodes as well, handing out the Queen's Watch to a guardsman.

Thanks, Duc-et-Pair

The Danish system of audiences is nowadays very much to ensure that there remains a direct link between the Monarch and her subjects, not least because anyone in theory can request to see the Queen face to face.
In reality the vast majority of those who seek an audience are referred to the relevant authority, just like in the Netherlands.
But it happens that the Queen request someone to have a private audience with her. - Usually when there is something she wish to be informed about, that is not covered by her staff.

 

[Muhler]

Summary of a Q&A in Billed Bladet #51, 2014.
Where a Stephan Haue asks that since the king/queen according to the Constitution has immunity does that mean that QMII cannot be punishe?

Jon Bloch Skipper explains that the Regent indeed has immunity and cannot be brought to justice for what she says or does, nor in public, nor in connection with her position or for what she does in private.

On top of that he explains the the monarch, also according to the Constitution, is sacrosanct. That means that an attack on the monarch, physically or as a lese majesty is punishable with a minimum prison sentence of six year. (In Danish contexts that's a severe sentence)!
For all other crimes perpetrated against the monarch the sentence is doubled. - That is usually only the case if you attack a police officer or another civil servant while doing his official business.

- Jon Bloch Skipper does not touch the somewhat delicate question of what to do with a monarch who has committed a crime.

---------------

And while we are dealing with QMII, Jon Bloch Skipper is very pro-royal and it happens that he deals with a question in a, shall we say, more firm way.

A Merethe Egeberg Holm asks whether QMII has dentures.

Jon Bloch Skipper is not amused!
It can basically be boiled down to this: No! QMII has natural and naturally colored teeth. Mind your own business and get lost!

This is what he actually said: No, she hasn't. By the way it's odd that so much is written about the royal teeth. It's obvious to everyone that the Queen both smoke and drink coffee.
Even though a white "Colgate-smile" often is associated with beauty and success the media ought to have better things to write about that the Majesty's teeth.
Of course she visits a dentist like the rest of us and the things fixed she finds necessary. But I actually think it's liberating that she isn't dominated by the changing beauty-ideals. There are many who could learn something from that.

 

[Muhler]

Today the PM calls for a general election. ADDED: 18th June.

According to the Constitution such election is to be held within four years.
That means the PM has or will go to QMII today and inform her that the government has resigned but is continuing as a business ministry.

ADDED: What happens exactly is that the PM seeks an audience with QMII. Then the PM request Her Majesty to approve a general election to be held 18th June and that the government intends to go on as a business ministry (otherwise it would be a business ministry run by civil servants). QMII will naturally approve by her signature and then the PM can announce the news, which she did today at 11.00.

It also means all legislative activities of the Parliament is to be suspended.
That is being announced in the Parliament by the chairman.

An election here in DK usually lasts three weeks, so it's expected the actual day for voting will be in mid June.

All Danish citizens are allowed to vote, with the exception of the very few adults who have a legal guardian.
The entire DRF is allowed to vote, including QMII herself, but the DRF has never exercised that right so they don't figure on the lists of voters.
Everybody else are listed based on the publicly registered address and within a couple of weeks we will all get a voting card, (except for the DRF) telling us where to vote, and what table to go to at the voting station. On that card is also our name and address.
At the voting station we present our cards, are checked that our name does correspond with the name on the list of voters. That name is then crossed out and we get a ballot sheet with the name of the parties (around twelve) and the names of the persons who run for office in this particular constituency.
We then go behind a curtain, where not even children are allowed to go with their mothers, put our X and put the ballot sheet in a box and that's it.

What would happen if four years and one day pass and the PM still hasn't called a general election?
The first thing would be a vote of no confidence in the Parliament. If there is a majority for that, the government must resign according to the Constitution.
If the government does not resign it is unconstitutional and this is where QMII among others will come in.
I'm not sure whether she can legally dismiss an unconstitutional government, but she can certainly refuse to acknowledge it, let alone sign any laws. A law that is not signed by the Monarch, the Regent or the Rigsforstander is not valid.
QMII can also go out publicly renouncing the government as unconstitutional and as all public authority is in her name, the government is formally speaking rendered powerless.
Also, QMII is the commander in chief of the military and through the ministries also Etaterne (the uniformed branches of the civil service) like the police. It now becomes a question of personal loyalties, who you obey. The unconstitutional government or the head of state.
So in that extremely extreme situation until the Supreme Court has issued a verdict saying the government is unconstitutional and a temporary politically led business ministry has been set up, QMII will be an absolute monarch or dictator if you like, in that interim period, whether that will be hours, days or even weeks.

 

[MidwestMom]

Thank you for that interesting post, Muhler. A three week campaign sounds great to those of us in the USA who have to put up with campaigns that seem endless! Apparently you don't have the ''voter ID'' issues that some malcontents keep going on about over here. Keep it simple! Are you listening America?

 

[Muhler]

This election is sure going to be interesting as the various coalition partners loathe each other, while at the same time having a lot of sympathy for the views of traditional opponents!

So even though this is slightly off topic, here is a no nonsense and not at all unbiased guide to Danish party politics and why some believe it would be better with QMII as an Absolute ruler...
I list the parties in random order and only the parties that have a serious chance of entering the Parliament.

Socialdemokraterne - The Social Democrats.
Economy: A little public spending could boost the economy, but our government partner won't allow it.
Welfare and healthcare: We really want better welfare, but our government partner says we can't afford it.
Taxation: It's really against our DNA not to increase taxes! But alas, our government partner won't allow it.
Environment: We want a much more green environment - that is if the Radicals allow it.
Active foreign policy: Dropping bombs is good for foreign relations and the export.
EU and UN: We love it! Where else to send our retired MP's?
Immigration: We would like to cut down, but we are not allowed by the Radicals.
The DRF: We really should be against, but we are really in favor.

Det Radikale Venstre - The Radical Left.
Economy: Tight, very tight! Isn't Merkel beautiful?
Welfare and healthcare: No more, sorry. The uneducated unwashed masses could just attend university like we did. It's their own fault - and they smell.
Taxation: Taxation for the well educated and highly paid really ought to be lowered more.
Environment: We love the environment. That's where we have our summer cottages.
Active foreign policy: We really don't like the military and stuff They are uneducated brutes.
EU and UN: We absolutely adore it! Intellectuals world wide unite!
Immigration: Open the borders wide open. We must afford it and anyway there a few immigrants where we live.
The DRF: Abolish them. In reality one of us should be sovereign instead.

Det Konservative Folkeparti - The Conservative People's Party.
Economy: First and foremost support businesses, that's good for our stocks... eh, the economy.
Welfare and healthcare: We are insured, thank you!
Taxation: Cut them, but our accountants ensure we don't pay too much anyway.
Environment: There is and should always be room for another golf course.
Active foreign policy: We support USA when they bomb someone. We like Merkel too - a lot!
EU and UN: We love them. Good for our stocks.
Immigration: Our wives absolutely needs her au pair! The same with our underpaid... eh, foreign cook.
The DRF: God, King and Country!

Socialistisk Folkeparti - Socialist People's Party.
Economy: Should be more humane. That costs money, but so be it.
Welfare and healthcare: More, more and more.
Taxation: Should go up, for the benefit of us all.
Environment: We absolute love trees. After all we are all retired hippies.
Active foreign policy: Sitting down in a circle drinking herbal tea, would solve most of the problems in this world.
EU and UN: Don't like EU, but suppose it's necessity. We worship the UN.
Immigration: Surely we can afford to let in a few more.
The DRF: In principle we are against, but they really are a nice bunch.

Liberal Alliance - Liberal Alliance.
Economy: Cut all public expenditure to the bone. To the bone!
Welfare and healthcare: What welfare? That'll teach the lazy buggers to get off their backsides and get a job.
Taxation: reduce taxation to the very minimum. The money would only go to feed the hypochondriacs and lazy anyway.
Environment: Who gives a hoot? Only if it's good for business, otherwise Rudolph the Reindeer should be evicted.
Active foreign policy: Yeah, okay if USA is in favor and it's good for the export. We worship Merkel BTW.
EU and UN: Marxists!
Immigration: Good for business, especially if they are underpaid.
The DRF: Let's have a cost/benefit assessment.

Dansk Folkeparti - Danish People's Party.
Economy: More public spending, except on immigrants. That benefits our core voters.
Welfare and healthcare: More! That's where our core voters work or benefit from.
Taxation: Okay, we can have a little more, provided it doesn't go to immigrants.
Environment: We don't want a polluted landscape in our beloved country, much better with pollution in the Third World.
Active foreign policy: Bomb them all! Especially the Muslims!
EU and UN: Hate them! Hate them with a passion!
Immigration: Expell them all! At least deport all who don't work. Certainly deport all who can't or won't integrate.
The DRF: As a nationalist party we adore them. As long as they are not too politically correct.

Venstre - Left.
Economy: Cut taxes, no increase in public spending. There is always work to find for those who will work.
Welfare and healthcare: Only basic welfare for those who can't afford an insurance.
Taxation: Didn't we say? Lower taxes.
Environment: We fully support the farmers rights to pollute the water.
Active foreign policy: Where Merkel and USA go, we go!
EU and UN: Wussies! Okay, we are for it, but they are still too soft.
Immigration: Only those who can and will work can get in.
The DRF: We love them, they support commerce.

Enhedslisten - The Unity List.
Economy: Turn DK into a soviet and the economy will be alright.
Welfare and healthcare: It's the duty of the state to care for all, from cot to coffin.
Taxation: Tax the capitalists till they bleed!
Environment: Kill all capitalists and the world will be a better and cleaner place.
Active foreign policy: No bombs should be dropped on anyone! Except capitalists.
EU and UN: Capitalist organizations!
Immigration: DK is a rich country, open up the borders for all.
The DRF: Put 'em up against the wall! Okay, at least abolish them.

Altarnativet - The Alternative.
Economy: We should all love each other and whales then the world will be a better place and so will the economy.
Welfare and healthcare: We are in favor of much more welfare as befits people who love whales.
Taxation: It costs money to save the whales so up with the taxes, alas.
Environment: The world should be a much cleaner and better place for whales and whale-lovers.
Active foreign policy: Bombs destroy trees and don't benefit whales, so we are against it.
Immigration: We welcome all three-hugging hippies wherever they are from.
EU and UN: Don't like them. They don't do enough for the whales.
The DRF: They are nice people who no doubt love whales.

 

[MidwestMom]

Politicians must be the same the world over. I'll be interested to see how the election goes - and I hope the whales will be all right. What is the legal voting age in Denmark?

 

[Muhler]

I'm sure they will.
The legal age for voting is eighteen.

We have 179 MP's, including 2 from the Faroe Islands and 2 from Greenland, who usually don't vote on Danish domestic issues.

- I'm sure we can spare a dozen for you if you want some. Take two dozen - for free! As long as you don't return them.

This election is going to be close, more close than it ought to be.

Because the Social Democrat led government has pursued a distinctly liberal policy, a very large segment of their core voters can't stand the leadership.
But if the liberal opposition win the election, they will be forced to pursue a social democrat policy, plus that many can't stand the leader of the opposition

That is the equivalent of President Obama pursuing an arch-Republican economic and social policy during his term, while the Republican candidate will be forced to follow a Democratic economic and social policy.
While at the same time the Republican right and the Democratic left are more than willing to work together.
Confused?
Then you have an idea of how we feel here in DK.

So to explain:
The Social Democrats - Have become left wing liberals.
The Radical Left - Ought to be center left but they are now hardcore liberals.
Left - Liberals, but see themselves overturned to the right by the socialist led government.
Danish People's Party - Are labelled as far right, but they are really nationalist social democrats.
Liberal Alliance - Extreme liberals. In their eyes Margaret Thatcher was a left winger.
The Conservatives - Ought to be conservative and to the right, but have now become a center-right party with a humanist streak, taking over the policy the Radicals used to have. - They may not survive this election.
Socialist People's Party - have returned to their socialist humanist roots, after having left the government.
The Unity List - Hardcore socialist, who find it easier to work with the Danish People's Party, who ought to be their arch enemies, but who have now become more social democrat then the Social Democrats.
The Alternative - Who can't figure out their policy, except that it is humanist. But they may enter the Parliament because so many disgruntled socialist voters can't figure out where else to vote.

So it's no wonder QMII cuts her trip to the Faeroe Islands short in order to receive the winner of the election on the 19th. Because Frederik is right now hiding under a couch refusing to come out until a new government has been formed.
Just kidding. No, it's her job as Head of State to be present when a new government is formed. It is after all her government and while Frederik can handle the odd government reshuffle, a new government is something the Monarch should deal with - Otherwise the politicians would no doubt feel miffed.

 

[Muhler]

Right, the general election is tomorrow.
The politicians have dominated the news for three weeks now and tomorrow Thursday we decide.
This election is going to be a cliffhanger! It's very close indeed! In fact the result may depend on the result in a hamlet on Greenland or the Faeroe Islands. That happened in the 90's.

So I thought we might go through the procedure, both for the voters, the politicians and the Monarch.
I realize some of this will self-evident for some, but others have expressed in interest in learning the details of a Danish general election, so bear with me.

Tomorrow is a school holiday, because the majority of the votes are cast in local schools.
Voting takes place from 09.00-20.00. And usually you can pretty much tell who have won by 23.00, but not this time I think. We will be lucky if we know by 01.00.

All voters received their ballot card about a week ago.
And it looks like this: http://blog.chrisalban.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/valgkort2013.jpg
Detailing who the voter is, the number the voter is registered under, where to vote, what table to get your ballot sheet and when to vote.
After having handed over your ballot card and been ticked off on the list of voters, you are handed a ballot sheet and it looks like this:
http://ekstrabladet.dk/ekstra/ekstra-meninger/article5260372.ece/IMAGE_ALTERNATES/p900/stemmeseddel
You can only see a part of it here though.
The parties are listed according to the letter they use. Under each party the local candidates are listed.
You put an X at either the party or the candidate you prefer. Anything else but one X is invalid.

The system is one man, one vote. I.e. all votes counts.
If you vote for a candidate and that candidate doesn't get enough personal votes to be elected, your vote is automatically transferred to the party and to the top candidates listed by the party in that region.
If a party (or a specific candidate listed lower down the list) gets an X number of votes, that will translate into say three mandates for that party from that particular region.
Only if a party does not get enough votes for a single mandate are the votes lost.
That means that we in contrast to say Britain have a multitude of parties. This year some ten main parties plus independent candidates and parties, depending on the region.

When we know the result, sometime after midnight Friday, the government will either conclude that they still have a majority to continue as a government.
In which case the PM will then inform Her Majesty that the government will continue. There will no doubt be a reshuffle and in theory at least another party might be added to the government coalition. These new ministers will be presented for Her Majesty with a recommendation by the PM. The Monarch will approve the new ministers and the government is up and running.

However if there is not a majority for the current government to continue, there will be a so called "Queen-round". The various party leaders will meet with Her Majesty and recommend who they find most suited to lead the negotiations to form a new government. (In this case naturally the opposition leader). Based on these recommendations QMII will request the leader of the opposition to start negotiation. (It's a formality because the negotiations will de facto already have started but the Constitution demands it).
If and when the leader of the opposition has concluded the negotiations, he will meet with the Monarch and inform her that he has the political backing to form either a minority or a majority government. QMII will then request him to form and present the government for her approval.
When the government has been presented to the Monarch and been approved it's presented for the press at Amalienborg Square and can start working.

Both scenarios are literally 50/50.

 

[polyesco]

thank you for the info
always great to learn about other countries

 

[Muhler]

Talk about a thriller!

The first exit poll is out and the difference is one repeat 1 mandate!

As predicted or feared this election might very well be decided by the result from a hamlet on a remote island in the North Atlantic.

The number of voters voting is estimated at around 87-88% perhaps more.
There is no mandatory voting in DK.

Even homeless can vote. What they do is to show up at the relevant municipal office bringing their social security card. After it has been verified that they are indeed not listed as a voter (due to not having a fixed address) a ballot card is printed for them and then they can vote.

(This post may be updated over the evening).

 

[Roskilde]

It really is a thriller!

It's actually 50/50.

**

Now we saw Margrethe traveled to Jutland today. Will she travel all the way home from Marselisborg again tomorrow morning if we get a new government, or will she send Frederik (who is in Copenhagen already) and has been responsible for these reshuffle many times before.

 

[Muhler]

Well, if the government makes it, and it might just. It will continue as government.

A new draft for the basis of the politic the government will pursue will be negotiated and no doubt a reshuffle, but that won't be until next week. Keep in mind that the PM, whoever it may be has to attend an extraordinary session in the EU due to the Greek crisis Monday.

However if the government has a majority against it, it will have to resign and that means QMII will have to fly back to Copenhagen tomorrow. I don't think she will leave that one to Frederik. She is after all the head of state, and while her legs and back may hurt, she is still able to function.

UPDATE: The pendulum has swung. With 2% of the votes counted the result is now that the government will fall, just about!
So QMII's adjutant might book a helicopter for tomorrow.

UPDATE: 10 % of the votes have been counted and it looks like a new government.
The result is still uncertain as the results from the larger cities are still to come.

-

Good grief!

20 of the votes counted%

It does look like a new government.

But. But the next PM's party will not be the largest party! The main support part looks like it will be larger than the next PM's party and that means the PM's... ahem... crown jewels... have been placed firmly in the hands of the leader of the the supporting party.

It's a personal disaster for the next PM (if the results hold and that is by no means certain yet), because he has thrown away a certain win. Due to personal issues, his party has been decimated and the politic he wish to pursue is now dependent on the mercy of the main support party.
And that's equivalent to a US Republican president being forced to pursue very much a Democratic policy!
I wouldn't want to be in his shoes! I don't believe his a statesman enough to steer that ship!

UPDATE:
30 % counted. It now seems certain there will be a new government. But the results from the larger cities remain and that may change the picture, but I doubt it will change the overall result now.

-

60 % counted. The results from the larger towns are coming in.

Unless a miracle happens, there will be a new government.
That means the present PM, Helle Thorning will ask QMII to accept the governments resignation, tomorrow most likely.

Then there will be a "Queen-round", where the leaders of the parties will point to who they believe should lead the negotiations to form a new government. That would normally be the head of the opposition.
In this case Lars Løkke, head of Venstre = Liberals.
However, if the current results are consistent, then the Liberals will not be the largest right wing party and that means QMII may appoint a Royal Investigator instead.

A Royal Investigator will sound the various parties to see what government constellation is practical. That Royal Investigator is very likely to be the head of the now largest right wing party, Danish People's Party, led by Thulesen Dahl. - And that's only fair, because even though he is not likely to accept a seat in the government he and his party will have a decisive influence on the politics by the new government. De facto he will be a grey eminence.

That means we will most likely have a minority government that will have to negotiate both to the left and to the right, depending on the issues. And that is IMO great. We really need a policy that goes across the middle of the political spectrum rather than having two shades of liberal politics like we have had for fifteen years.

68 % counted it is now certain there will be new government. Even if the results from the largest cities remain.

 

[Muhler]

That's it. 86 % counted. The current government has lost the election.

The main party of the two-party government coalition, the Social Democrats gained votes, but the partner, the Radicals was punished severely by the voters and massacred. (And in my personal political opinion, deservedly so).
So the government lost because the party that de facto dictated the government policy was slaughtered.

The far left wing Unity List, who have profiled themselves as the social conscious of the left wing, have been rewarded for that stance by the voters. But it is not enough to save the government. It would indeed be a problem as they hate the Radicals and their mothers!

The whale-loving, The Alternative, were voted in Parliament. Because so many disgruntled left wing and center voters didn't know where else to vote in their frustration. Their political influence will in all likelihood be very limited.

The next (almost certain) PM's party, the Liberals was decimated and they can thank their chairman, the next PM for that one!

The Conservatives have been rendered even more politically insignificant than they already were.

The ultra liberal, Liberal Alliance, has had a great election and they can now justifiably so tell the new PM: "Well, if it wasn't for us, you'd be heading for political oblivion in the EU Parliament. Now we want our piece of meat"!

But the real winner of this election, Danish People's Party, hate Liberal Alliance and would like to bury them. Deep!
They can tell the new PM: "You are PM because of us. And you are only PM as long as we tolerate you. You don't do anything without consulting us first. You don't even breathe loud without asking us first, get it"?!?

So the new PM is in for interesting times!

So unless his pulls up a political rabbit from his top hat, like forming a coalition government with the Social Democrats, he will now have to get used to the fact that his behind belongs to someone else.

Who said politics was boring?

------------------

The current PM is likely to resign shortly.

95 % counted. We will now have a (even more) right wing government (on paper that is!!). But only just, because the Greenlandic and Faeroe mandates go to the left.

100 % and the result became hair-rasingly close!

There are 179 seats in the Parliament and the mandates are as follows:
Left: 89 mandates, including four from the North Atlantic, who are usually reluctant to interfere in Danish domestic affairs.
Right: 90 mandates.

So the domestic result is really.
Left: 85 mandates.
Right: 90 mandates.

We are waiting for the current PM to give her speech and tell us what she want's. With 99.5 % certainty the government will resign.
But will she resign as chairman of her party? That's a big question.

Then the "winner" will give his speech. No doubt congratulating himself and the party with the election victory. - But low key! Because he and everybody else know that he will only be the next PM, because the supporting parties were the real winners of the election.
But the most interesting bit will be whether he will directly invite other parties to form a coalition government here tonight.
It will be most interesting!

Because right now, we don't know whether there will be a Queen-round or a Royal Investigator appointed tomorrow.
At present I don't think we should expect a new government to be in place until next week.

(More to be added to this post later.)

-----------------

The PM will go to QMII tomorrow and ask for the government to resign.
At the same time she will resign as chairman of her party. - A wise thing to do IMO. That means she laves with dignity.

So now it will be interesting to learn what the new PM has to say shortly.

(More to come).

 

[Muhler]

Okay, the election has ended.

So a Royal Investigator will be appointed tomorrow. Followed by serious negotiations before a new government can be formed. If that is possible. Otherwise another Royal Investigator might be appointed. But that is unlikely.

Lars Løkke, the in all likelihood new PM said in his speech that he may not be able to form a government.
To his supporting parties to the right, there was a warning: "Don't push it"!
To the left there was an outstretched hand about co-operation.
To his own party members he basically said: "Don't expect too much".

I predict he will form a government with one more smaller party and from then on negotiate from issue to issue. That I think will be the best solution, but it's tricky!

Later on, if all this works I think he will form a more balanced government with Danish People's Party.

So QMII will have to get up early tomorrow, she has a helicopter to catch.

And that's it from me. If you think this is confusing, I don't blame you.
But that's how it is with a system of many parties. There are endless possibilities for compromise, for forming governments and for influence.

Goodnight.

 

[Muhler]

Right now as this is written the PM, Helle Thorning, is at an audience with QMII, where she informs Her Majesty that the government does not have a majority in the Parliament and as such she will request her Majesty to accept the resignation of the government.
QMII will accept the resignation and the government will continue as a business ministry until a new government is ready to take over.

The PM will advise Her Majesty to call in the various party leaders for consultation at to who could be the next PM. A Queen Round (*). QMII will follow that advise.
That will take place later today.

The various party leaders will tell QMII who they believe should be the next PM, alternatively who they believe should head the negotiations about forming a new government.

QMII now have two options based on the advise she has been given.
A) If it is 100 % certain who can and will be the next PM, she appoints that person as Designated Prime Minister and request that person to form a government.
B) If it is not 100 % who can be the next PM or the likely next PM is not certain he/she can gather enough majority in the Parliament to be sure to be able to pursue a policy that is acceptable for that person, then QMII can instead appoint a Royal Investigator.
The Royal Investigator, in all likelihood Lars Løkke, will sound the other parties to see what possibilities there are for forming a new coalition government. A government that may not be based on the political alliances before the election, because the situation has changed. And that is the case today.
If the Royal Investigator is successful, he will report back to QMII to inform her that it is possible to form a new government with X as PM (usually himself). QMII will then request that person to form a new government.
However, if the Royal Investigator is not successful, he will report back to QMII and inform her that it was not possible to find a solution.
QMII will then appoint a new Royal Investigator, who may come up with a completely new and sometimes surprising constellation.

You can read more about on the DRF site (in Danish): Regeringsdannelsen - Kongehuset

I think it will be very likely that Frederik will be present today at the Queen Round. After all it is now realistic to think that the next election may happen on his watch.

(*) Queen Round is a literal translation. A more apt translation could perhaps be something like a Queen Turnabout or Queen Tour, or in modern phrasing: Party Consultations with the Queen.

 

[Nordic]

Right now as this is written the PM, Helle Thorning, is at an audience with QMII, where she informs Her Majesty that the government does not have a majority in the Parliament and as such she will request her Majesty to accept the resignation of the government.

I think it will be very likely that Frederik will be present today at the Queen Round. After all it is now realistic to think that the next election may happen on his watch.

According to Ekstra Bladet, The Crown Prince is (was) present.

 

[Jacknch]

Well, it is all very interesting to see how this works in Denmark and the Queen's involvement. From a purely personal point of view, for some reason I will miss Helle Thorning-Schmidt being the Danish Primeminister.

BTW, Muhler, when you say that it is realistic to think that the next election will be on Crown Prince Frederik's watch, could you elaborate?!

 

[Roskilde]

Thanks Nordic. I don't understand the difficulty of writing CP Frederik in the official also to all these audiences and so on (-;

 

[Muhler]

Well, it is all very interesting to see how this works in Denmark and the Queen's involvement. From a purely personal point of view, for some reason I will miss Helle Thorning-Schmidt being the Danish Primeminister.

BTW, Muhler, when you say that it is realistic to think that the next election will be on Crown Prince Frederik's watch, could you elaborate?!

Very simple: She's is getting older. And in four years QMII may be dead or simply no longer able to carry out her duties.

 

[polyesco]

Thanks Nordic. I don't understand the difficulty of writing CP Frederik in the official also to all these audiences and so on (-;

Agreed

thank you Muhler for all the explanations

 

[Jacknch]

Very simple: She's is getting older. And in four years QMII may be dead or simply no longer able to carry out her duties.

OK, I guess the word "realistic" for me means a degree of certainty. I feel sure it is only a possibility!

 

[Muhler]

Agreed

thank you Muhler for all the explanations

You are welcome.
It is difficult to boil such a complex subject down to a few lines.

OK, I guess the word "realistic" for me means a degree of certainty. I feel sure it is only a possibility!

I hope so.
But she is getting more frail. I wouldn't be surprised if we will see her with a walking stick/cane before the end of this year.
I also fear the visit to Greenland this year (and the Faroe Islands, had it not been postponed) will be her last big official visit. Outside the paved streets of the capital of Nuuk, the terrain must be hard on her knees and back.
The state visit to China was hard on her and seeing QMII leaning over a bannister at the Swedish wedding, that is not like her at all!
Fortunately her mind is still sharp.

 

[eya]

It is possible Queen Margrethe thinking abdication or no way?

I agree with that . The monarch must have a constitutional role and not only a decorating role.

 

[Muhler]

It is possible Queen Margrethe thinking abdication or no way?

No way.

Only if she was diagnosed with Alzheimer or something like that do I believe she would abdicate.

Only one Danish king has ever abdicated and that was in the 1200's and only because he was paralyzed.

Would I mind if she did abdicate? No. She has done her bit and she thoroughly deserve her retirement if she should wish for that. M&F are IMO ready to take over. - And Frederik wouldn't have to dread the day he becomes king, because that will also be the day he loses his mother.