This year, Greenland found itself at the center of a transatlantic row – one that tested European resolve and projected Mette Frederiksen as a composed prime minister. And after leaving the president of the Free World, she seized the moment for him grab a win at home.
However, as it turned out, the Danish election had little to do with the geopolitical headwinds the kingdom has faced in recent months.
The Danish Parliament, housed in Christiansborg Palace (aka. Castle – the name of the infamous television series in Danish politics) was draped in Danish flags throughout election day. Across the street, two more flags flew outside Copenhagen City Hall, a reminder of the external tensions that were bubbling around the small country.
The Ukrainian flag flew on the eastern flagpole – Copenhagen was one of them the biggest contributors in the war of Kiev against Russia. At the West Pole, the flag of Greenland flew. As if to remind the Danes of what they were up against, US Ambassador to Denmark (and PayPal co-founder) Ken Howery showed up unannounced as the votes were being counted, popping into the governing party’s election meeting before storming out.
For international viewers, the stakes were clear: Danish sovereignty in an increasingly predatory world.
But voters were looking elsewhere. Ballots were cast for outrage about the loss of a public holidaythe place is big pig populationand a wealth tax – all the issues Frederiksen sang about in Trump’s face had little impact.
The result is a fragmented electorate, with only three parties passing 10% of the vote. It does for some complicated math as any possible coalition will consist of at least four parties.
On Thursday, King Frederik X – after consultations with all 12 political leaders – asked Frederiksen to try to form a government combining the Greens, her social democrats and the center’s social liberals. Such a line-up would rule out smoking foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. But his support would still be needed to secure a majority.
Danish media experts believe that the centrist Rasmussen is likely to demand several key ministries in return – including the current one. But after leading Denmark’s far-right for a decade until 2019, his inclusion could be a deal-breaker for the far-left Red-Green Alliance – whose support would be crucial to any left-leaning government.
Frederiksen spent much of this year stressing the need to show strength and unity. Although the threat may have passed, the coming weeks will put these qualities to the test again.
Briefing
EU-US trade deal approved despite ‘imbalance’ concerns – MEPs have supported EU-US trade agreement provided that the demands of the socialists are kept in the final text. The agreement removes tariffs on hundreds of US industrial and agricultural goods, while imposing a total tariff of 15% on the EU.
Commission says porn sites fail child safety requirements – The top four adult content websites, including Pornhub, are failure of child safety requirements onlinesaid the Commission. This follows an investigation from May 2025 into concerns that four major adult content websites were failing to protect minors by not having effective age controls in place.
The Parliament approves the “historic” anti-corruption directive – The European Parliament approved a new one on Tuesday EU anti-corruption directive. The proposal follows the Qatargate cash-for-influence scandal in 2023 and sets out rules that will harmonize definitions and criminal penalties for corruption offenses such as bribery, embezzlement and influence-peddling at EU level.
All over Europe
Iran’s missile threat to Europe – of Iran firing two ballistic missiles at an American base in the Indian Ocean last week has raised fresh concerns that European capitals could fall within range. This is the first attack on Diego Garcia, the remote atoll located 3,800 km from the Iranian mainland.
France moves to curb carcinogenic cadmium in garbage – France has decided to tighten the boundaries in cAdmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal found in everyday foods, as new evidence shows widespread exposure across the population. Cadmium can accumulate in soil and crops when used in phosphate fertilizers and is a known carcinogen at high exposure levels.
German Armed Forces Association calls for readiness for war economy – The defense industry should achieve a higher production capacityThe chairman of the Association of the German Armed Forces said this week, including the presentation of round-the-clock operations. European governments have pushed their national defense industries to ramp up production amid the continent’s rapid rearmament.
