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I am a student of Political science in Pakistan. My question is: what are the strongest and the largest political parties in Denmark and what are their Ideologies?
Answer
Dear Adnan,
Historically, the largest party since the early 20th century has been the Social Democrats. In recent years this party has dwindled somewhat. In the present Parliament the largest party is Venstre, a right-wing liberalist party. Like in so many other European countries, Denmark is fairly evenly split between a social democratic bloc with minor left-leaning parties, and a right-wing bloc, led by Venstre.
Name
Mohamed
- Morocco
Profession
Question
What happens in Denmark after the election and before forming the new government?
Answer
Dear Mohamed,
After elections, negotiations will take place to form a new government.
The Queen of Denmark plays a role in this, in that all leaders of the parties will visit her in turn and point to whom the recommend to lead negotiations. Having heard the recommendations, the Queen follows the majority opinion and appoints a negotiator. That person will then strive to set up a government. In Denmark, a government does not have to muster a majority. It can be a minority government, as long as it does not face a vote of no confidence.
This time, it seems that the whole process of forming a government may become quite a game. Judging from the polls, the current minority government of Venstre and the Conservative Party may not be able to muster a majority with the supporting right-wing Danish People's Party. That may open for other combinations, and thus feverish negotiations.
A new party, New Alliance, seems to hold a vital position. It may end as the party that both blocs will be forced to court. New Alliance was established only this spring. It is headed by Naser Khader, a Danish Muslim of Syro-Palestinian origin.
Name
Mohammed Al-Hindi
- United States
Profession
Question
In recent elections in many European countries, ultra-right wing parties won significant gains. Does this affect the Danes also?
Secondly, is the Danish cartoon controversy also a major issue in the pre-election scenario? Is it going to have any impact on any major political party - positive or negative?
Answer
Dear Mohammad,
The party that comes closest to your description is the Danish People's Party. This party was established in the 1990s as principally an anti-immigration party which has later also adopted a policy of defending the elderly and the welfare state as we know it in Denmark since the 1960s.
The Danish People's Party is a significant force in Danish politics already, especially since 2001, as it has acted as the prop of the existing government in return for concessions in its priority policy areas. Currently, it holds 13% of the 179 seats in Parliament. According to recent polls, however, it does seem as it will maintain that support, though, but perhaps end with some 10 to 12 %.
As for the cartoon controversy, it is not a major issue in itself, but it is probably an important background to many discussions in Danish politics. It has been raised directly, though, by the Danish People's Party. They have made a poster with a drawing of the Prophet Muhammad. Fortunately, this time, it is just a reproduction of a 300 year-old drawing of a wise and respectable bearded man. It is meant as a stunt to demonstrate that the Party was not cowed by reactions in 2006. Muslims in Denmark have responded calmly to this.
Name
Hend
- France
Profession
Student
Question
Do you see any changes in the Danish politics after the cartoon problem? (Changes in parties and voters)?
Answer
Dear Hend,
According to the polls there seems to be some movement of voters towards the left. This may be due to several factors, but listening to the politicians of the opposition (the left) I get the impression that they think the voters have had enough of the government's reliance on the Danish People's Party - and possibly to its handling of the cartoon issue, as well. But there is still two weeks to voting day, and the pendulum may swing back again.
Name
Ali
- Saudi Arabia
Profession
Question
Please tell us about the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute and what are you doing in Cairo?
Answer
Dear Ali,
The Danish-Egyptian Dialogue Institute in Cairo is supporting political, social and cultural dialogue between Denmark and Egypt, and the wider Arab World. You can visit our website at www.dedi.org.eg
Name
Reda
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Do you believe that Muslims will be accepted in the Danish politics one day? The cartoon problem showed the real face of Denmark and it showed that Democracy is for the Denmark values and not for others.
Answer
Dear Reda,
I believe that Muslims are accepted in Danish politics. Muslims vote, run for elections, and are elected.
At the moment there are a couple of Muslim MPs and many Muslim members of local councils in Denmark. As mentioned, Naser Khader is the head of a political party which may end up deciding who will become prime minister. Naser was not even born in Denmark but immigrated as a child. Not that many countries, for instance in this region, would allow anything remotely like that.
Also, in my opinion democracy is for everybody. It is neither the monopoly of Denmark or any other state or group. But democracy means that we have to live with each other and accept each other's opinions. If Muslims are democrats - and practically all Muslims in Denmark are democrats - they participate with the same rights and duties as everybody else.
This is not to deny that there are misgivings and suspicions about Muslims in certain strata of Danish society. Also, some people in Denmark make gross and biased allegations about Muslims and Islam. This is regrettable.
But I believe that many Muslims are working hard to have a positive role in society, and they do in fact take part in Danish democracy, at local and national levels.
Name
Elham
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How do you see the direction of Denmark? is it going to the left or to the right?
Answer
Dear Elham,
As I wrote, the polls indicate a move towards the left. The left, however, may not be different from the right in a number of policy issues. But there seems to be genuine disagreement on others, e.g. taxation.
Name
Amin
- Denmark
Profession
Question
Where are the Danish Muslims on the Agenda of the biggest Danish parties?
Answer
Dear Amin,
As far as I know, most parties do not have a specific "Islam-policy." Generally, parties in Denmark are concerned about issues of education, economics, trade, industry and the like.
However, the issue of integration has been a huge one for some twenty years now. As mentioned, this is the key political theme of the Danish People's Party (which is accusing other parties of being to lenient on immigration, and warning against the incompatibility of Danish and Islamic values). This will no doubt also be voiced in this election.
Besides, this fall, another party at the other end of the spectrum, the far leftist "Red/Green Alliance" has been split over the issue of a young Muslim candidate, Asmaa Abd al-Hamid, who is wearing the Hijab and refusing to shake hands with men. Some party members consider that behavior, and certain things she has said, incompatible with the strongly egalitarian and emancipator tradition of the far left. Others find that immigrants, not least Muslims, are now a marginalized and underprivileged group in society and thus a natural concern and ally of the party.
Name
navid
- Denmark
Profession
doctor
Question
As a second generation imigrant living in denmark, what do you think we shall do in order to have a space in the danish political scene?
Answer
Dear Navid,
I'll take this with the next one.
Name
Amany
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
In your opinion, what is the shortest way for the Muslim comunity in Denamrk to be integrated in the society and to be accepted in the Danish politics?
Answer
Dear Amany and Navid,
Thanks for your questions which are very important. I am afraid that I am no expert on the matter. But it seems to me that things are working for the better at the moment in Denmark.
For one thing, the economy is strong and unemployment is at its lowest for decades. This is no doubt of great importance for integration. Secondly, a new generation of children of immigrants is going through the school system. School is, in any society, the most important integrator, I believe. And the Danish school system is, today, much more experienced and prepared to handle cultural differences. We are also seeing a growing number of successful Muslims in Danish media and society, so people are getting more used to the Muslim presence and relaxed about it.
There may be setbacks, however. Right now, a small group of Muslims is being tried for an attempted terror attack which, had it succeeded, would of course have greatly heightened the fear and animosity towards Muslims. Also, it seems to me that young Muslim political candidates are being more scrutinized and more readily attacked in the media than non-Muslim youth politicians. On the other hand, they also seem to get media exposure more easily.
Name
Ellie C
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Mr. Jakob,
As a Danish citezen do you think that sister Asmaa has a good chance to be the first Muslim woman, let alone hijab-clad, to enter parliament in Denmark?
Answer
Dear Ellie,
She might, but maybe not at these elections. Asmaa is a case of what I just described: she has been able to attract a lot of media attention, but also harsh criticism. She is young and fairly inexperienced in politics and she has made some gaffes. But the fact alone of her wearing the Hijab and not shaking hands with men is clearly offensive to some people.
Right now the polls seem to indicate that she will not make it, as the party is on the course to loose seats, probably mainly due to the debate about her, as I explained. But on the other hand, she may get so many personal votes that she might make it herself.
Name
Zaynab
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
Did the inistitute start after the cartoons? do you have other branches in other countries? please tell me how can I contact it and I want to read about it.
Answer
Dear Zaynab,
No, it was established in 2004, approximately a year before the cartoons, so you might say we came off to a head start!
Our website is www.dedi.org.eg, and the contact numbers are there. You are also welcome to visit us in Cairo where we are based inside the newspaper al-Ahram.
Name
Abdi-Hakim Yasin
- Finland
Profession
Telecom Engineer
Question
Hello All,
The timing of the election is set by the current government and naturally opposition parties don't have possibility to fill the gap with sitting government. My question is what is the political motivation behind calling an early election now? Thanks in advance.
Answer
Dear Abdi-Hakim Yasin,
I am not sure, and I have no inside information. Most of the media assume that the PM announced the election because he had just finalized some important pieces of legislation, some of it in broad coalitions with opposition parties, and he considered his government pretty unassailable.
If that be so, he clearly miscalculated. Polls indicate that the stable government support of the Danish People's Party will no longer be sufficient. If the results match the polls, Danish politics is in for important shifts and changes.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
European Muslims Team.
Answer
Dear visitors,
The session has ended. We would like to thank Mr. Jakob Skovgaard-Petersen for taking the time to answer your questions and we apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session.
We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
