Negotiations to form a new Danish government have stalled a month after the March 24 election, leaving caretaker PM Mette Frederiksen with only left-wing backing and no parliamentary majority. The impasse hampers decision-making at a moment when Denmark must manage a diplomatic dispute with the U.S. over Greenland. Key parties say a deal is still "far away," and Frederiksen may have to drop major policy pledges or hand over the task of forming a government to other leaders.
Danish Coalition Talks Deadlocked A Month After Election, Complicating U.S. Row Over Greenland
Mette Frederiksen, Denmark's prime minister and Social Democrats party leader, attends the party leaders' debate after parliamentary elections, in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo
COPENHAGEN, April 24 — Talks to form a new Danish government have reached a deadlock one month after the March 24 parliamentary election, slowing urgent decision-making as Copenhagen seeks to manage a diplomatic dispute with the United States over Greenland.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who holds a royal mandate to try to build a coalition, has been negotiating with all 12 parties in the Folketing but so far has secured support only from left-wing groups — not enough for a parliamentary majority. Her Social Democratic Party remains the largest single party with 38 of 179 seats.
Frederiksen's centrist coalition lost its majority as voters reacted to a cost-of-living squeeze. While her cabinet remains in office until a successor is appointed, the caretaker government has limited powers at a time when swift decisions may be required to handle international pressure.
Diplomatic Tension Over Greenland
The stalemate complicates Copenhagen's response to a renewed dispute with the United States over Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. began diplomatic talks in January to defuse the row, but tensions resurfaced after former U.S. President Donald Trump described the island on social media as a "BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE," a comment that drew a sharp rebuke from Greenland's prime minister.
Deal Still 'Far Away'
Moderates leader Lars Løkke Rasmussen told TV2 the coalition agreement was still "far away," and Conservative leader Mona Juul said Frederiksen should no longer lead the formation talks. Juul referenced findings from the current royal investigator and urged that "the baton should be passed on."
Negotiations have largely occurred behind closed doors. Political analysts say Frederiksen may have to abandon major campaign pledges — notably a proposed wealth tax on Denmark's richest residents — or hand responsibility for forming a government to another leader, such as Lars Løkke Rasmussen or Liberal Party head Troels Lund Poulsen.
“There's not a majority for the economic policy that (Frederiksen) wanted,” said Andreas Thyrring, a partner at the public affairs advisory firm Ulveman & Borsting.
As talks continue with no clear timetable, the stalemate highlights how a fragmented parliament can limit Denmark's ability to act quickly on both domestic economic priorities and sensitive foreign-policy challenges.
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