Denmark, a monarchy since 1849, has developed a parliamentary representative constitutional democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Denmark has a multi-party political system, where no single group has held an absolute majority in Parliament since the beginning of the 20th century. During this time only four Danish governments have enjoyed any type of parliamentary majority, therefore most bills rarely become law without negotiation and compromise.

All three branches of Danish government are located in a single building, Christianborg Palace. This is the only building in the world which houses all branches of any nation’s government.

Political System

The Kingdom of Denmark is considered a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Copenhagen. The country was first organized as a unified state in the 10th century, and became a constitutional monarchy in 1849. There is no designated national holiday, though people do celebrate Constitution Day on June 5.

Denmark’s current constitution was originally adopted on June 5, 1953, allowing for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state. The document allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

Effective January 1, 2007, the Kingdom of Denmark instituted an extensive local government reform, merging 271 municipalities into 98, and 13 counties into five regions. The current regions are:

• Hovedstaden
• Midtjylland
• Nordjylland
• Sjaelland
• Syddanmark

Executive Branch

Queen Margrethe II is Denmark's chief of state, assuming the position on January 14, 1972. The Queen's heir apparent is her son, Crown Prince Frederik, born on May 26, 1968.

The head of government is the Prime Minister. This person is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition, and is appointed by the monarch following legislative elections. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on November 27, 2001.

The Council of State serves as an advisory body for the Danish sovereign and is appointed by the monarchy. Al members of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister. The current ministers are:

• Climate and Energy - Connie Hedegaard
• Culture - Brian Arthur Mikkelsen
• Defense - Soren Gade
• Development Cooperation - Ulla Tornaes
• Ecclesiastical Affairs - Birthe Ronn Hornbech
• Economic and Business Affairs - Bendt Bendtsen
• Education - Bertel Haarder
• Employment - Claus Hjort Frederiksen
• Environment - Troels Lund Poulsen
• Finance - Lars Lokke Rasmussen
• Food, Agriculture and Fisheries - Eva Kjer Hansen
• Foreign Affairs - Per Stig Moller
• Health and Disease Prevention - Jakob Axel Nielsen
• Justice - Lene Espersen
• Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs - Ronn Hornbech
• Science, Technology and Innovation - Helge Sander
• Social Welfare and Gender Equality - Karen Jespersen
• Taxation - Kristian Jensen
• Transport - Carina Christensen

Legislative Branch

The Danish People's Assembly (Folketinget) is a unicameral body consisting of 179 officials, including two from both Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Members are elected by popular vote via proportional representation to serve four year terms.

The current structure of the People's Assembly, by political party, not including Greeland and the Faroe Islands, is (number of seats):

• Liberal Party - 52
• Social Democrats - 47
• Danish People's Party - 24
• Conservative Party - 18
• Social Liberal Party - 17
• Socialist People's Party - 11
• Unity List - 6

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court. Judges are appointed for life by the monarch.

Legal System

The Danish legal system is based on civil law. The Constitution does not grant the judiciary power of judicial review of legislation, however the courts have asserted this power with the permission of other branches of government. The country has accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction with reservations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

The Official Website of Denmark - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.