Denmark Sets Parliamentary Election for March 24 Amid Greenland Crisis

COPENHAGEN, Feb. 26 (GeokHub) — Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday, aiming to leverage growing public support for her firm stance against U.S. interest in Greenland.

Frederiksen has spent recent months rallying European leaders in opposition to renewed U.S. efforts, led by President Donald Trump, to annex the Arctic island. Opinion polls suggest the Greenland crisis has boosted her popularity, offsetting concerns over rising living costs and pressures on Denmark’s welfare system.

“This will be a decisive election,” Frederiksen said. “We need to define our relationship with the United States, rearm to ensure peace on our continent, and secure the future of the Danish Commonwealth.” The Danish Commonwealth comprises Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

The crisis has elevated Frederiksen’s profile internationally, complementing her reputation for guiding Denmark through the COVID-19 pandemic and building European support for Ukraine.

Domestic Challenges and Election Stakes

The upcoming vote will test whether Danes reward Frederiksen for her international leadership or hold her accountable for domestic issues. Her government is an unusual cross-partisan coalition of the Social Democrats, the centre-right Liberal Party, and the Moderates. Formed in 2022 as a crisis government, the coalition faces the possibility of losing its majority, according to recent polls.

The Social Democrats endured a setback in the 2025 municipal elections, losing the Copenhagen mayoralty for the first time in 87 years. Party support fell to 17% in December polls but has since recovered to 22% following the Greenland dispute. In the 2022 general election, the party captured 28% of votes.

Controversial measures, such as abolishing the Great Prayer Day public holiday in 2023 to fund increased defense spending, have drawn public criticism, even amid broad backing for military investment. The Green Left party has pledged to reinstate the holiday if elected, though the Social Democrats have not explicitly opposed the proposal.

The election will signal whether voters prioritize Frederiksen’s assertive foreign policy and defense initiatives or focus on domestic economic and social issues.