Democracy and the State Administration
The Danish Political System is democratic. It is characteristic of Danish democracy that the administration of the State is based on a voluntary agreement between the constitutional monarchy and the citizens of the country. The citizens exert their influence indirectly through voting.
The state administration is comprised by different ministries, including their relevant institutions, and various regional and municipal authorities. Each ministry is led by a minister who has his or her own area of responsibility.
The Danish Constitution
Source: The Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The cornerstone of the Danish constitution is Danmarks Riges Grundlov (The Constitutional Act of the Kingdom of Denmark) of 5 June 1953. This is the result of developments in constitutional law that began in 1849 with the introduction of a bicameral parliament, with human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Today Denmark has a unicameral system, a system of parliamentary government and a queen who has only formal and ceremonial functions. The Constitution has not been changed since 1953, but by way of legislation and treaties far-reaching changes have been made in the constitutional legal structure, not least as a result of Danish membership of the EU.
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The Danish Parliament (The Folketing)
The Danish Parliament, the Folketing, is composed of 179 members of the parliament (MPs). 175 MPs are elected in Denmark, 2 in Greenland and 2 in the Faroe Islands. The Parliament passes laws and exerts control over the Government. The Folketing is empowered to legislate.
The legislative and the executive powers are balanced against each other in the sense that a majority among the 179 Members of the Folketing can overthrow a Cabinet or a Minister. However, the Prime Minister can dissolve the Folketing, at any time, in the hope of obtaining a more stable majority.
The Folketing has 25 committees, which all, except the Standing Orders Committee, are composed of 17 Members. The most influential committees are the Finance Committee and the European Affairs Committee.
For more information, download the official PDF here.
The Chamber
The sessions of the Folketing take place in the Chamber and are open to the public. The public is able to follow the debates in the Chamber from the seats in the Public Galleries.
For more information, download the official PDF here.
Independent courts
In Denmark, the courts are independent. Neither the government nor the Parliament has the right to decide how the courts should rule in any given case.
Denmark has a Supreme Court, two high courts and 24 district courts. Cases are first heard in the district courts. The decision can then be appealed in one of the high courts, which decisions can be appealed in the Supreme Court. Decisions made in the Supreme Court cannot be appealed.
Municipal authorities
Denmark is divided into 98 municipal authorities. Each has its own council and mayor. Elections for the municipal councils are held every four years.
The municipal authorities perform a number of tasks in the local areas such as providing day-care centres, schools, care for the elderly, build roads and ensure cultural activities.
For more information: www.kl.dk/English
Regions
Denmark is divided into five regions. Each region is governed by regional councils which are elected every four years.
The regions provide responsibility for hospitals, collective traffic and regional development planning.
For more information: www.regioner.dk
Political Parties
A political party can put forward candidates for election to the Folketing, the municipal councils, or the county councils and obtain direct influence. However, a party can also act as a pressure group outside the elected bodies by writing articles in newspapers, by holding meetings, or by bringing their points of view before the public in other ways.
There are six different political parties, and two alliance groups that have been formed between them:
For more information on political parties, download the official PDF here.
Denmark and the World
The EU
Denmark has been a member of the EU since 1973. As a member of the EU, Denmark, along with the other member states, influences the legislation of the member states. The EU’s influence in the world has grown in many areas, and member states collaborate among other things on the environment, consumer issues and free trade. Some of the member states have a common currency, the Euro, but Denmark is not part of the agreement.
For more information on Denmark and the EU, we recommend: http://www.euo.dk/euo_en/dkeu/
International Co-operations
Denmark is part of a wide range of international co-operations and therefore exerts its influence in alliances and organisations such as the UN, NATO and the OECD. In addition, Denmark has signed a number of international conventions such as the UN's convention against torture, the convention against all forms of racial discrimination and all forms of discrimination against women and the convention regarding children's rights.