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Denmark's Moderates Quit, Trump Dispute Halts Coalition Talks

5/9/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Center

Rasmussen Quits

Moderate Party leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen quit talks and urged Liberal member Troels Lund Poulsen to lead a centre-right government.
Mette Frederiksen failed to form a government after the Moderate Party withdrew, prompting King Frederik to appoint a coalition leader.
Frederiksen’s Social Democrats won 38 seats, down from 50 in 2022, their worst result since 1903.
A dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland stalled coalition talks.

Left

Coalition drives exodus

Analysts warn the right-wing coalition may adopt stricter immigration policies, including a plan to encourage a Muslim net-exodus from Denmark.
King Frederik will meet Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at 1530 GMT Friday.
Troels Lund Poulsen was tasked by King to lead talks excluding Social Democrats and Moderates.
Danish People's Party, which tripled its vote to 9.1 %, insisted coalition pursue a Muslim net-exodus.

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Rasmussen Quits

Moderate Party leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen quit talks and urged Liberal member Troels Lund Poulsen to lead a centre-right government.
Mette Frederiksen failed to form a government after the Moderate Party withdrew, prompting King Frederik to appoint a coalition leader.
Frederiksen’s Social Democrats won 38 seats, down from 50 in 2022, their worst result since 1903.
A dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland stalled coalition talks.

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