Denmark: right-wing Danish People's Party makes huge gains in election

2015-06-19 4

The right-wing Danish People’s Party has made huge gains in the country’s general election.

It is part of a “blue bloc” of conservatives that has secured a slender victory over the ruling centre-left coalition.

“I’m really surprised about this result. We are probably not doing as well in the big cities, but no matter what, this is a marvellous result for the Danish People’s Party,” said Kristian Thulesen Dahl, Danish People’s Party Chairman.

With all mainland votes counted, the centre-right has won 90 seats in parliament, the ruling bloc 85.

Conceding defeat, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has quit as leader of the Social Democrats.

She said that it is now up to opposition leader Lars Lokke Rasmussen to form a new government.

“I wish him the best of luck,” said Thorning-Schmidt.

Rasmussen says he will try to form a new government. But he is likely to have to make big concessions to ensure support from the Danish People’s Party, which ended up with more votes th