| Thor Pedersen ( M) |
| Carsten U. Larsen ( M) |
Christiansborg
DK - 1240 COPENHAGEN K
Tel.: (45) 33 37 55 00
Fax: (45) 33 32 85 36, 33 89 37 81
E-mail: folketinget@folketinget.dk
| http://www.folketinget.dk |
| http://www.ft.dk |
Of the 175 seats reserved for Denmark proper, 135 seats are distributed among the constituencies. In order to distribute these constituency seats among the political groups in contention, the total vote of each party in a constituency is divided by 1, 3, 5 and so on by odd numbers in order to arrive at the quotients on the basis of which seats are allocated). Utilization of this method ensures representation for smaller parties.
The 40 remaining, or compensatory, seats are then distributed among the parties which either have won at least one constituency seat; have obtained, in two electoral regions, at least as many votes as the average number of valid votes cast in the region, per constituency seat; or have obtained at least 2% of all valid votes cast in the country as a whole. Such distribution, based on votes obtained on the national scale, is aimed at redressing the imbalance caused through the distribution of the constituency seats.
When it has been decided which parties are entitled to a share of the compensatory seats, the number of seats which each party is proportionately entitled to of the 175 seats is calculated on the basis of the total number of votes cast for these parties in all parts of the country. From the number of seats thus arrived at for each party, the number of constituency seats already obtained by the party is deducted. The resulting figure is the number of compensatory seats due to the party.
The end result of this system is a distribution of seats in the Folketing that faithfully reflects the share of the popular votes received by the parties.
Candidates who have been nominated but not elected figure on a list of substitute members drawn up by the Ministry of Interior after each general election. These substitute members fill the seats which become vacant between general elections.
Voting is not compulsory.
- Danish citizenship
- permanent residence in Denmark
- disqualifications: legally declared incompetency
- age: 18 years
- Danish citizenship
Ineligibility: conviction for an act which in the eyes of the public makes the candidate unworthy of being a member of the Folketing.
- candidatures must be registered at least 11 days prior to polling day
- party lists must be submitted at least 8 days before polling day
- independents need backing of the 150 to 200 electors from their district
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
Mr. Rasmussen has led the centre-right coalition government since 2001. It comprises his Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Conservative People's Party, and has the support of the Danish People's Party.
In the previous elections held in February 2005, the coalition won a total of 70 seats of the 175 members elected from Denmark (see note) and the Danish People's Party won 24 seats. The main opposition Social Democratic Party, led by Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, took 47 seats, losing five. He subsequently resigned as party leader and was succeeded by Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt in April 2005.
In the 2007 elections, Prime Minister Rasmussen was seeking a third consecutive term in office.
A total of 808 candidates, representing nine parties and including 12 independents, contested the 2007 elections.
Tax, welfare, and immigration were main issues during the election campaign. Prime Minister Rasmussen pledged to implement further tax-cutting measures, referring to his government's proposal to lower income tax, which was passed in parliament on 23 October. The Social Democrat leader Thorning-Schmidt promised to provide better welfare, including higher wages for the lowest-paid public servants.
Prime Minister Rasmussen also promised to soften asylum laws, proposing that asylum seekers with families be housed outside reception centres. The Social Democratic Party suggested that rejected asylum seekers be allowed to work in Denmark. The New Alliance, a new centrist party formed in May 2007 and led by Mr. Naser Khader, a Syrian-born Palestinian immigrant, also promised to work towards better treatment of refugees. The Danish People's Party led by Ms. Pia Kjaersgaard, opposed all initiatives to soften asylum laws.
In all, 86.59 per cent of the country's 4 million voters turned out at the polls.
The final results gave the outgoing coalition and its supporters a total of 89 seats. The Social Democratic Party took 45 seats. The New Alliance finally won 2.8 per cent of the votes, or five seats.
On 23 November, Prime Minister Rasmussen formed a new Liberal-Conservative coalition government, supported by the Danish People's Party and the New Alliance.
On 27 November, the newly-elected parliament held its first session and elected former finance minister Mr. Thor Pedersen as its new Speaker.
| Round no 1 (13 November 2007): Election results | ||||
| Number of registered electors | 4'022'920 | |||
| Voters | 3'483'533 (86.59%) | |||
| Blank or invalid ballot papers | 24'113 | |||
| Valid votes | 3'459'420 | |||
| Round no 1: Distribution of votes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Candidates | Votes | % of votes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal Party (Venstre) | 908'472 | 26.26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Democratic Party | 881'037 | 25.47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Danish People's Party | 479'532 | 13.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socialist People's Party | 450'975 | 13.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conservative People's Party | 359'404 | 10.39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radical Liberal Party | 177'161 | 5.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Alliance | 97'295 | 2.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unity List | 74'982 | 2.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round no 1: Distribution of seats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Total of seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberal Party (Venstre) | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Social Democratic Party | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Danish People's Party | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Socialist People's Party | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conservative People's Party | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radical Liberal Party | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Alliance | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unity List | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- http://im.dk/
- Ministry of Welfare (28.11.2007)
- The Danish Parliament (29.11.2007, 29.02.2008, 03.03.2008)
Note
Four other members are elected separately from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The statistics above exclude the election results for these four members.
Election results for Greenland:
Inuit Ataqatigiits: 1 seat
Forward (Siumut): 1 seat
Election results for the Faroe Islands:
Republican Party (Tjóðveldisflokkurins): 1 seat
Union Party (Sambandspartiet): 1 seat
Note on the number of women
In all, 67 women (including one from Greenland) were elected. Following the elections, one male MP gave up his seat and was replaced by a woman. There are thus 68 women.
| 21 to 30 years | 21 |
| 31 to 40 years | 42 |
| 41 to 50 years | 45 |
| 51 to 60 years | 43 |
| 61 to 70 years | 27 |
| Over 70 years | 1 |
| Civil/public servants/administrators (including social/development workers) | 63 | |
| Educators | 18 | |
| Others | 16 | |
| Business/trade/industry employees, including executives | 12 | |
| Legal professions | 11 | |
| Engineers/PC experts | 9 | |
| Medical professions (doctors, dentists, nurses) | 9 | |
| Media-related professions (journalists/publishers) | 9 | |
| Military/police officers | 7 | |
| Clerical occupations | 7 | |
| Economists | 7 | |
| Consultants (including real estate agents) | 5 | |
| Farmers/agricultural workers (including wine growers) | 4 | |
| Bankers (including invest bankers)/accountants | 2 |
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death
- after the approval of the validity of the general election
- vote by public ballot, usually (may be secret if the Folketing so decides)
- if one of the Members nominated gets more than half of the votes cast, he/she is elected - if not, another free vote is held - if this does not result in the said majority of votes either, a third vote is held - the third vote is confined to the two candidates who received the largest number of votes during the second vote, and lots will be drawn in the event of a parity of votes.
- the tellers count the votes and notify the Speaker of the result
- the most senior Member announces the results without any delay
- 60 Members can request in writing and with at least 3 days' notice a new election for the Speakership
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is ex officio chairman of the Folketing committees
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy-Speakers (and in their absence, one of the tellers) can assume his/her role and functions
- the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) consists 21 Members who are ex officio Members and whose chairman is the Speaker); the other 16 Members are elected on a pro rata basis, every year at Membersthe opening of the session and after a general election
- meets when necessary when convened by the Speaker
- the Speaker has the final say in most matters - in some matters, the SOC must be consulted
- right to a pension as a former Speaker
- official residence in the parliamentary building
- official car with a driver
- secretariat
- general administrative services
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study - the Folketing can, if it so desires, refers bills to other committees than those recommended by the Speaker (this very rarely occurs)
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum after the vote
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly, according to precedents
- employs and dismisses civil servants and other employees in the administration
- employs and dismisses senior civil servants (including the Clerk) after discussion with the 4 Deputy Speakers and following approval by the SOC
- manages the organization of the internal affairs in consultation with the 4 Deputy Speakers
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber
- can cut off a debate which goes too far in relation to the bill which is being debated
- takes part in voting
- normally does not propose bills or amendments except in special cases such as bills which concerns parliamentary conditions
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- signs the laws together with one of the tellers and transmits them to the appropriate Ministry
· Procedure
· Procedure
· Procedure (SO 40 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing, S. 92 of the Parliamentary Election Act)
- Loss of mandate for loss of eligibility (S. 29, 30, 32 (6), and 33 of the Constitution Act, and SO 7 (1) (2.) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Invalidation of election after approval by the Folketing (S. 33 of the Constitution Act, SO 1 (5) to (7), and SO 7 (1) (2.) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
· Basic salary (see also S. 58 of the Constitution Act): DKK 359,956.81 per year
+ Cost allowance: in accordance with residence
· Exemption from tax for the cost allowance. The basic salary is not exempted from tax.
· Pension scheme (Law on Election to the Danish Parliament, Lb. no. 271 of 13.05.1987, as amended by the laws no. 744 of 07.12.1988 and no. 245 of 19.04.1989)
· Other facilities:
(a) Secretariat
(b) Assistants
(c) Free housing for the 5 Members of the Presidium in Christiansborg
(d) Postal and telephone services
(e) Travel and transport
(f) Others
· Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament, provided that they are pronounced in the exercise of the mandate.
· Derogations: consent of the Folketing; improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing; see Discipline)
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
· It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of minor offences (i.e. ticket fines), and protects MPs from arrest, from being held in preventive custody, and from the opening of judicial proceedings against them. It does not protect them from their homes being searched.
· Derogations: in the case of flagrante delicto, the consent of the Folketing is not necessary.
· Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal.
· Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (S. 57 of the Constitution Act):
- Competent authority: the Folketing
In this case, MPs need not be heard. They do not have means of appeal.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament.
· It is provided by officials of Parliament.
· Handbooks of parliamentary procedure:
- The Standing Orders of the Folketing
- Guide for Members of Parliament
· There are no penalties foreseen.
· Disciplinary measures foreseen :
- Order to sit down (SO 29 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Call to order (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Order to discontinue the speech (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Declining to call upon the Member to speak again (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Suspension from Parliament (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Adjournment or close of the sitting (SO 29 (4), and 30 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Closure of the debate (SO 31 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
· Specific cases:
- Improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
· Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties:
- Order to sit down, call to order, order to discontinue the speech, declining to call upon the Member to speak again, adjournment or close of the sitting, improper statements or offence: the President
- Suspension from Parliament: the Standing Orders Committee
- Closure of the debate: the Folketing
· Procedure:
- Order to sit down (SO 29 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Call to order, order to discontinue the speech, declining to call upon the Member to speak again, suspension from Parliament (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Adjournment or close of the sitting (SO 29 (4), and 30 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Closure of the debate (SO 31 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
- Improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing)
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
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