19-01-2005 15:25									#61
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quote: Originally posted by Monk Curiously, his middle name translates into 'victim' in Scandinavian languages.

Mmm, victim of bad taste in clothing, a bad hair day, and a concerted attack of subcutaneous fat.


Looks nothing like most of the Danes I've met. Is he a Swedish import, par chance?

	19-01-2005 15:42									#62
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quote: Another thing which may play a part is that the keeping of troops in Iraq now has the support of 90% of the seats in Parliament, largely thanks to skillful political manoeuvering by PM Anders Fogh.

Wow, that's some pretty damn effective politicing.

	19-01-2005 19:45									#63
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Can't deny that.

On Iraq, I haven't seen any polls on popular support lately, but I would estimate it to be around 60% or so. It also depends a lot on how you pose the questions, as is always the case with these things.

chegitz guevara asked for background info on the parties and the way the system is set up in Danish politics. I haven't forgotten, I have a post on pre-1945 background written up and I'm working on some other parts (post-1945, historic voter support by party, parties in government historically, and of course a little background on the standing parties' platform), but it turns out to be very time consuming. I won't post anything until it's all done, which should be sometime tomorrow, hopefully.

	19-01-2005 19:47									#64
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60% or so.. dang.. it seems you guys in Denmark wanted to go to Iraq moreso then the US. Can you spare more troops heheh?

	19-01-2005 20:00									#65
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The Danes should take charge in Iraq.

Yes. I see it now:

Iraq Festival 2005
Sponsored by Tuborg

	19-01-2005 20:11									#66
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Might actually be worth a try. Spend half the combined military budgets on free beer for everybody, and see how long the insurgents could resist the temptation. Soon, all we'll hear is "al-Tuborg Akbar!", and probably not just 5 times a day.

	20-01-2005 10:12									#67
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From today's edition of Jyllands-Posten, country's largest daily newspaper:

"Mogens Lykketoft accuses Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Venstre of having stolen all the Social Democrats' main topics for the election."

(From left: Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Venstre), Minister of Economic and Business Affairs Bendt Bendtsen (Conservatives), Party Leader Mogens Lykketoft (Social Democrats), Party Leader Marianne Jelved (Radikale Venstre))

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	21-01-2005 03:36									#68
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quote: Originally posted by Giancarlo What is the approval rate of the Iraq war there? I'll apologize for calling you a banana republic. You have troops in Iraq.

Of course we are no banana republic - we are very civilized. Noone wants to kill our leaders as the following pic shows. It isn't from the current election but are from an episode back in 2002 when Anders Fogh Rasmussen was donating some money to the homeless peoples organization. Wonder what would happen if somebody tried to improve GB Jr's hair with some egg protein

	21-01-2005 03:36									#69
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Anotherone where some jerks wanted to illustrate that AFR had blood on his hands due to the partition in the Iraqui liberation. They totally forgot that by supporting Saddam they took coresponsibillity (can you say that ?) for the countless victims in Saddams torture centres.

I'm not sure, but I think it was waterbased paint so it did go off in wash

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	21-01-2005 04:21									#70
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quote: Originally posted by BlackCat I'm not sure, but I think it was waterbased paint so it did go off in wash

That's not correct. PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen's suit as well as that of Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller were ruined along with the parliamentary carpet floor.

Protesters had to pay more than 100.000 DKR compensation for the damages.

	21-01-2005 04:32									#71
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Sorry - wrong informed.

	21-01-2005 04:36									#72
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quote: Originally posted by BlackCat Sorry - wrong informed.

No reason to be sorry. Actually, my figures are from memory. I could be wrong, but I distinctly remember significant figures in the newspapers of those days.

A Viking smiley to you

	21-01-2005 16:20									#73
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Hmm, what's the exact relevance of bringing those shameful pictures into an election thread? Idiots are everywhere, and the only thing they achieved was heightened personal security against the people's top elected representatives, which is basically setting back the very open and trustful form of democracy that we're lucky enough to have.

Anyway, here's today's satirical from Jyllands-Posten:

"Radikale Venstre's Party Leader Marianne Jelved has said she's ready to become the country's next Prime Minister. So far she's got the support of CD's Mimi Jakobsen."

(Left to right: Party Leader Mogens Lykketoft, Social Democrats, Party Leader Marianne Jelved, Radikale Venstre. Note: Radikale Venstre got 5.2% of the votes in the 2001 elections, CD which was mentioned as supporting Radikale Venstre's bid for PM, got 1.8%)

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	21-01-2005 16:26									#74
	Overview 1800's-1945 Put an end to popups!

Ok, here's a little background on how the modern politcal landscape of my country came to be. This is just the first part, I hope to also be able to post an overview of 1945-present, short background on the platforms of the standing parties, historic support of parties since 1945, and past government constellations as well. But it takes a lot of time, and so it can't all be posted right away. I hope it's not too long a read. If you have questions, fire away.

---

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, and its form of government is technically a constitutional, limited-monarchic one. The country got its first free constitution in 1849, following the intensified liberal and national awakening during the 1830's and 40's. This constitution, obtained peacefully, ended the absolute rule of the Monarch and granted the right to vote to male citizens above the age of 30.

Traditionally, that is to say during the early 19th century, and also for some time following the constitution, political groupings were uncemented, loosely divided into the Right, Højre, (Conservatives) supported by big landowners and high-ranking officers, and the Left, Venstre (Liberals) who had core support from farmers and smallholders.

Following a revision of the constitution in 1866 passed by Conservatives, a setback which limited voting rights to citizens owning substantial property, the Liberals formed closer ties together in an effort to oppose the ruling class. This resulted in the founding in 1870 of the party Venstre, the oldest in Denmark. A year later the Social Democratic Party was founded to give voice to the emerging industrial working class.

For the remainder of the 19th century, Venstre continued to gain support with the electorate and soon held a majority in parliament, but Højre, the landowners' party, continued to govern by means of provisional laws - and with the King's consent. In 1901, the King recognized the claim to power by Venstre, who then formed the first truly democratic government, an event which is referred to as the "Change of Systems", and the beginning of Parliamentarism.

1905 saw two new party formations; the old Højre which had been in power for most of the preceeding half century, reconstructed itself into a modern party, Det Konservative Folkeparti, Conservative People's Party. And the more progressive wing of the now ruling Venstre split out to form Det Radikale Venstre, "Radicals". So there were now 4 major parties, and those are traditionally referred to as the 4 "old" parties in Danish politics:

---

Socialdemokratiet - (Social Democrats) workers' party, mainly urban, with a traditional Social Democratic platform, much like that of other European countries, headed first government in 1924

Det Radikale Venstre - (Social-Liberals) traditionally comprising smallholders, teachers and others, with a social-liberal platform, pacifistic and increasingly idealistic in the 20th century, headed first (and only government) in 1968

Det Konservative Folkeparti - (Conservatives) traditionally with the support of business owners, mainly urban, headed first government in 1982

Venstre - (Liberals) traditionally with support from farmers and the rural population in general, but increasingly gaining support in urban areas as well, especially late in the 20th century, headed first government in 1901

---

1915 saw an amendment of the constitution which granted the vote to women, and another revision in 1953 cemented the principle of Parliamentarism (cabinet must have the confidence of Parliament), as well as the deposition of the 2-chamber system which had been in place until then.

Other enduring political parties which came into being before 1945 were:

Danmarks Kommunistiske Parti - (Communists) formed in 1918 as the Danish branch of Komintern, traditional Communist platform, but throughout the 20th century became one of the most Soviet-loyal Communist parties in Europe. Not represented in Parliament since the 1970's, but is today part of the small, Far-left conglomaration Enhedslisten which holds 4 seats.

Danmarks Retsforbund - (Georgists) formed in 1919, with a platform of high land value taxes to substitute income taxation. Not represented in Parliament since the 1970's.

---

	21-01-2005 16:51									#75
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Am I to understand from your cartoons that Lykketoft has shaved off his beard?

A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY

	21-01-2005 17:04									#76
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Yes.

It's a monumental loss to political cartoonists everywhere.

Lately he lost the glasses as well and adopted a very short hair cut compared to what he's had for the past 25 years. Let go of the tie right after the election was called. I wonder if there's anyone he wants to make an impression on?

Shortly after he became Party Leader in 2002, he also divorced his wife of 20 years BTW, after it became publicly known that she suffered from recurring depression. NOT first lady material any longer, sorry!

This man has got to be the ultimate dream of every stylist and spindoctor North of the Swiss Alps.

	21-01-2005 17:23									#77
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Is Pia Kjaersgaard still around? How's her party expected to do?

	21-01-2005 17:39									#78
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She's still very much around yes. Much to her disappointment though, it doesn't look like immigration issues will play as large a part in this campaign as it did in 2001. A hardline approach on immigration is after all about 75% of her party's entire platform. But the government has succeeded in bringing the number of immigrants down to an almost historic low point already, so Pia Kjærsgaard and Dansk Folkeparti (Danish People's Party) could face a bit of a fight to hold on to their 12.0% share of the vote from 2001.

The three latest polls from my daily paper (Nov., Dec., Jan.) however give them 11.6, 12.5 and 11.4%, so depending on the ongoing campaign, they might do all right. They've been a surprisingly reliable part of much of the government's legislation over the past three years, considering they are basically a protest party, and oddly enough their (protest) voters may actually end up giving them credit for just that at the polls. The majority of their voters are former Social Democrats, so their continued support with the voters plays an important part in explaining why the Liberal-Conservative block is currently so very strong in Danish politics.

Last edited by Winston on 21-01-2005 at 17:44

	22-01-2005 03:10									#79
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A fresh opinion poll from Jyllands-Posten conducted among 888 voters from 18-20 January predicts a landslide victory for PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Venstre.

It gives Venstre 35.7% and 65 seats, compared to 26.8% and 49 seats for the Social Democrats.

The poll also asked for the voters' preferred candidate for the position of Prime Minister. 50.4% pointed to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and only 18.3% to Mogens Lykketoft. The rest were either undecided or pointed to others, Radikale Venstre's Marianne Jelved getting the most at 7.1%.

According to the poll, only six parties will be represented in Folketinget, the Danish Parliament. See graphic below for number of seats by party (left column is the government and its supporter; V=Venstre (Liberals), C=Conservatives, DF=Danish People's Party, right column is the opposition parties; A=Social Democrats, B=Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals), SF=Socialist People's Party). The 4 North Atlantic seats are left out of polls, and so the total here is 175 compared to 179 in the actual Folketing.

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Last edited by Winston on 22-01-2005 at 12:12

	22-01-2005 03:25									#80
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Why the strange abbreviations (A, B and C)?

	22-01-2005 03:33									#81
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Goes back to the 1920's I think when there were only 4 parties, and so they were given the letters A, B, C and D. Venstre was D back then, but changed its letter to V in the 1950's I believe.

Parties can choose their letter freely, except for the rather obvious X which isn't allowed.

Danish People's Party is O, and Socialist People's Party F, but they're sometimes abbreviated normally, since they're not among the 4 "old" parties.

	23-01-2005 04:47									#82
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A Gallup poll in today's Berlingske Tidende reveals that half of Social Democrat voters believe that their party leader, Mogens Lykketoft's leadership abilities are worse than those of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Venstre.

Responding to a direct question, only one third of Lykketoft's own backers believe that he outperforms Fogh Rasmussen when it comes to "real" leadership.

Mogens Lykketoft told the paper he has "given up" commenting on such polls...

	23-01-2005 04:58									#83
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IT APPEARS TO BE OBVIOUS THAT THE BEARD-SHAVING WAS A GRAVE MISTAKE

Anyway, to stop with the frivolous commentary for a minute*, for Denmark if they stick with Rasmussen. We should have someone like him here in Finland.

*: Personally, I've always felt people shouldn't be ashamed to admit that they judge leaders at least partly, no matter how small that part is, on the basis of looks and other silliness. Everybody does it, and if they don't, they most likely are dirty hippies.

	24-01-2005 01:07									#84
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Don't really know if one's allowed to say so, but I just love the cockfighting theme of Jyllands-Posten's satiricals.

(From top left, clockwise: Mogens Lykketoft (Social Democrats), PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Venstre), Bendt Bendtsen (Conservatives), Marianne Jelved (Radikale Venstre))

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	24-01-2005 23:28									#85
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The one above was actually the first one, when everybody had all their feathers intact.

This one from today's paper deals with a rather trivial matter which nonetheless has influenced the political debate here for several weeks. As of 1 January, holders of the most common credit card here Dankortet have to pay a fee to their bank of DKK .50 (USD .08) per transaction when using the card to do their shopping.

The Dankort-fee of DKK .50 has become a strain on the government's campaign.

Anders Fogh says: "Will you put an end to this matter already! It'll ruin us!"

(Note: There's a wordplay in Danish which can't be translated, but I found another one, sort of. )

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	29-01-2005 06:26									#86
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Latest poll by Rambøll, conducted for Jyllands-Posten among 1102 voters from 24-27 January resulted in 61 seats for Venstre, compared to 45 for the Social Democrats; overall 99 seats for the government and its supporter, 76 for the opposition.

Below is a graphic of the poll's results, compared to previous polls and the election of 2001.

Translated rows:

A Socialdemokratiet = Social Democrats
B Det Radikale Venstre = Social Liberals
C Det Konservative Folkeparti = Conservatives
D Centrum-Demokraterne = Center Democrats
F Socialistisk Folkeparti = Socialist People's Party
M Minoritetspartiet = Minority Party ()
O Dansk Folkeparti = Danish People's Party
K Kristendemokraterne = Christian Democrats
V Venstre = Liberals
Z Fremskridtspartiet = Progress Party
Ø Enhedslisten = Far-left Socialists

Translated columns:

1) Blue = Election 2001, % of votes
2) White = Opinion poll, Nov 2004, % of votes
3) White = Opinion poll, 18-20 Jan 2005, % of votes
4) Yellow = This opinion poll, 24-27 Jan 2005, % of votes
5) Change from Election 2001 till now, % of votes
6) Blue = Seats in Parliament, Election 2001
7) Yellow = Predicted seats in Parliament, this opinion poll

The 4 North Atlantic seats are left out of polls, and so the total number of seats here is 175, compared to 179 in the actual Parliament.

* Winston concludes all is well in the Kingdom.

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	30-01-2005 00:55									#87
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* Winston emerges on horizon and moves, occasionally overtaken by the odd tumbleweed, within shouting distance

Helloo-o! Anybody here?

	30-01-2005 00:58									#88
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Vote Z

	30-01-2005 01:03									#89
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Oh Rolfie, you know they aren't even running this time. Funny to think they once held >15% of the vote and 28 seats in Parliament.

But you still have yours relatively intact in Norway?

Incidentally, how do you like the Minority Party with a predicted .1%. Finally a (small) bunch of politicians who actually call things by their real name!

	30-01-2005 01:08									#90
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Oh they are intact. Second largest party with about 20% of the votes. But I don't think they're comparable to the Danish FrP. I think they're more like Dansk Folkeparti. And no, they won't be getting my vote.


Who are the Minority party?