Denmark opts for centrist approach to face crises

Significance

It is the first cross-party government in decades, marking a significant break from the tradition of only cooperating with ideological allies. Social Democrat leader and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen justified the new arrangement by citing a need for cross-party unity in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Impacts

• The government will likely examine options to create centres in third countries to process asylum claims.
• Copenhagen could come under pressure from NATO allies to restrict cooperation with countries like China in Greenland.
• The merging of the centre-left and -right could vacate space for fringe and radical parties to bolster their support.