More than seven weeks after the Danish parliamentary elections, negotiations to form a government in Denmark entered a new dramatic phase after the leader of the Moderate Party (Foreign Minister in the last government and former Prime Minister) Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced his withdrawal from the ongoing negotiations, demanding that the leader of the Venstre Party (a right-wing blue party) Truels Lund Poulsen (Defense Minister in the last government) be tasked with the role of “Royal Inquiry” to lead a new round of government consultations, in a move that appears to be a political bombshell that has completely changed the landscape.
Thus, Mette Frederiksen could lose the reins of power after more than seven years at the helm of Denmark.
A sudden escalation shakes up weeks-long negotiations.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced on Friday afternoon that the negotiations, which had lasted for nearly seven weeks, had not made sufficient progress, stressing that a “change of course” was needed if a new government was to be formed.
Løke told reporters in Marienburg (the venue for government negotiations) that his party had come to the conclusion that “this course of action will not produce anything,” adding that giving Troels Lund Poulsen two weeks to try to explore new possibilities might “shake up the entire political landscape” and restart the negotiations.
Løkke stressed that his nomination of Truels Lund Poulsen does not necessarily mean he supports him becoming prime minister, explaining that he does not rule out Mette Frederiksen remaining as head of the next government.
This effectively means the collapse of negotiations to form a center-left government that includes the Social Democrats, the Moderates, and the Red Bloc parties.
King Frederick summons parties to a new royal tour
The Danish Royal Palace announced that King Frederick X has decided to invite all parliamentary parties to a new royal tour on Friday evening at seven o'clock.
The palace statement explained that Mette Frederiksen informed the king that she was unable to form a government according to the mandate she received in the previous royal round on March 25, 2026, and recommended a new round to determine who should lead the negotiations to form a government.
The palace revealed the schedule of meetings between the parties and the king, with the meeting beginning with the Social Democratic Party at seven o'clock in the evening, followed by the other parties successively every ten minutes.
Mette Frederiksen acknowledges the risk of losing the premiership
According to local media, the head of the interim government, Mette Frederiksen, has acknowledged that there is a real risk of her losing the prime ministership.
She told reporters that voters had given her party a weaker result in the last election, and that the current composition of parliament opens the door for the formation of a right-wing government.
She added: “This may be the beginning of what we are witnessing now,” while emphasizing that she does not know how the current political crisis will end.
Frederiksen declined to attack Lars Løkke Rasmussen after he withdrew from the negotiations, saying she did not want to play the role of “judge” in the way he conducted the negotiations, and that she would continue to handle the situation “in the right way.”.
Anger in left-wing and centrist parties
Lucke's move sparked widespread anger in left-wing and centrist parties.
Socialist People's Party leader Pia Olsen-Der said her country "needs neither a blue government nor a new centrist monster," arguing that ending negotiations would lead to more right-leaning policies, reduced foreign aid, and a slowdown in the green transition.
For his part, Radical Party leader Martin Lidegaard expressed his “surprise” at Løkke’s rapprochement with the Danish People’s Party in supporting a new candidate for the royal post, considering that this gives the “far right” a pivotal role in forming the government.
United List leader Pelle Dragsted also said that all parties were prepared to make concessions except for Luck and the Moderates, adding that any political solution would require collective concessions because none of the parties had a 90-seat majority.
Troils Lund Poulsen announces his readiness for the mission
The leader of the Venstra party, Troels Lund Poulsen, confirmed his readiness to take on the role of “Royal Inquiry” if he is officially appointed to do so.
In a written comment to TV2, he said he looked forward to “exploring the possibilities broadly” to establish a government capable of implementing “balanced reform policies” and moving Denmark forward in what he described as a challenging period.
Right-wing parties support Troels Lund's candidacy to tighten immigration policy and cut taxes
Several right-wing parties have announced their support for Troels Lund Poulsen's candidacy, including the Liberal Alliance led by Alex Vanopslag, the Danish People's Party led by Morten Messerschmitt, and the Democrats of Denmark led by Inger Støjberg.
Støjberg said Denmark needs a right-wing government that will tighten immigration policy and cut taxes and fees, including fuel prices.
Morten Messerschmitt, however, confirmed that his party's position has not changed since the last election, indicating that he still believes Troels Lund is the most suitable person for this task, according to local media.
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