Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Politics & Economics
After a decade of conservative rule and with a sluggish economy due to the global finan-
cial crisis, Denmark's political pendulum again moved left in its most recent parliamentary
elections, held in 2011. After a close election (fought largely over which side was better
equipped to steer the Danish economy out of its malaise), a new, centre-left coalition took
government.
Since the 2011 election, the new government coalition has been led by Social Democrat
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the country's first female prime minister (and FYI: the prescient
Danish political drama Borgen premiered in 2010). During the first year in office her gov-
ernment rolled back anti-immigration legislation enacted by the previous government, and
passed a tax-reform with support from the liberal-conservative opposition.
Taxation and immigration have remained controversial issues among the parties of
Thorning-Schmidt's ruling coalition. It has not been all smooth sailing: her government
was weakened in early 2014 when the small Socialist People's Party left the coalition amid
disagreements over plans to sell off a stake in the state utilities giant Dong Energy to in-
vestment bank Goldman Sachs, among others.
The next elections must take place no later than mid-September 2015. Opinion polling
at the time of our research (a long way out from elections) showed voters favouring the
conservative parties.
Sustainability
As well as their admirable attitudes to civic duties (voter turnout at the last parliamentary
election was around 87%; there is relatively low tax evasion), Danes go about their busi-
ness with a green conscience.
While some Western governments continue to debate the veracity of climate-change sci-
ence, Denmark gets on with (sustainable) business. Wind power generates around 30% of
Denmark's energy supply, and the country is a market leader in wind-power technology,
exporting many wind turbines.
The long-term goal for Danish energy policy is clear: the entire energy supply - electri-
city, heating, industry and transport - is to be covered by renewable energy by 2050. The
city of Copenhagen has pledged to go carbon-neutral by 2025.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search