Trump and Greenland loom over Denmark’s snap election, but voters appear focused on other issues. Here’s what to know

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is positioning her campaign around the theme of “stability in turbulent times,” aiming to leverage her handling of recent geopolitical tensions with the Trump administration over Greenland. The message comes as the nation prepares for Tuesday’s general elections, a pivotal moment for the center-left leader seeking a third term. Her international standing has been bolstered by decisive actions on the Ukraine war, the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, and responses to Trump’s diplomatic assertions, all of which have shaped her political narrative.

Frederiksen’s decision to call the election before October was strategic, capitalizing on a brief resurgence in support after a period of decline. Following a sharp drop in popularity during local elections, her Social Democrats saw their backing fall to 17% in December polls. However, the renewed focus on Greenland negotiations a month later led to a rebound, with recent Megafon surveys for Danish outlets TV2 and Politiken showing a rise to 20.9%.

While global attention remains on Greenland and transatlantic relations, domestic discourse centers on pressing economic challenges. Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, noted that the campaign is now dominated by “bread-and-butter issues.” “She tried to capitalize on this ‘rally around the flag effect,’ but everybody knew that was more a question of momentum,” Gad said. “As soon as debates began, it’s really about the economy and environmental affairs this time.”

Key concerns for voters include a cost-of-living crisis and growing inequality. The debate over Denmark’s long-standing nuclear energy ban and strict immigration policies also remains intense. Even niche issues, such as the welfare of farm pigs, have sparked discussion. Frederiksen, 48, faces criticism for not adequately addressing rising housing, food, and energy prices, despite promising to intervene with support if inflation worsens due to the Iran conflict.

The election landscape is complex, featuring 12 major parties. This fragmentation typically results in broad coalition governments, requiring immediate compromises. When races are tight, as they often are in Denmark’s multi-party system, Greenland’s two parliamentary seats can hold significant sway. Pram Gad explained that “they are reluctant to interfere in Danish domestic politics, and they try to stay out of deciding who’s going to be the Danish prime minister. But every time the elections are tight, they are counted for a majority in parliament.”

The latest polls suggest Frederiksen’s Red Bloc, which includes her Social Democrats, is narrowly ahead. The bloc is projected to secure 86 seats, falling short of the 90 needed for a majority in the 179-seat parliament. Meanwhile, the Blue Bloc of right-leaning parties is expected to gain 78 seats, with potential growth to 89 if the Moderates, led by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, join the coalition. This dynamic highlights the delicate balance required for governance in Denmark’s parliamentary system.

Among the contenders, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen of the center-right Liberal Party is running on tax cuts and stricter immigration policies, currently polling at 10.1%. A 34-year-old leader from the Liberal Alliance, Alex Vanopslagh, has also emerged as a key figure, though his campaign has been affected by a cocaine scandal. The outcome hinges on whether these competing visions can secure enough support to form a stable majority, despite the lingering shadow of Greenland’s political weight.