Election Time: Denmark

[The_Fire]

Approx. 30 minutes ago, the Danish prime minister, Anders "Fjog" Rasmussen called a prime election with vote date november 13th 2007. This means that for the next 3 weeks various political parties are going to vying for my personal vote, selling themselves like prostitutes on speed.

Problem is that this year I actually want to VOTE instead of putting my "x" down after the eniey-miney-moe method that most of my peers seems to favour.

So if anyone could help me figure the differences out between the various chair-hoggers and their respective cheerleading squads (read: Political parties), I would be most gratefull.

Yes, this is mostly for the Danish members of JREF, but I figured it could make for a nice debate.......

[ThatSoundAgain]

Oh no... Not this again. The media pitch is already rising - why is it that they immediately go into tactical analysis mode? I want to hear about the issues!

I'll have to get used to it. At least it's only three weeks.

[MG1962]

Sigh, we have to put up with 6 weeks of this dribble as well - If you Dannes figure a good way to come up with a good choice, can you send the info down under, cause we could sure us the help ;)

P.S can we have our princess back lol

[MRC_Hans]

Sigh, we have to put up with 6 weeks of this dribble as well - If you Dannes figure a good way to come up with a good choice, can you send the info down under, cause we could sure us the help

It's really rather easy: You take the one that is least ridiculous of those least likely to cooperate with the ultra right wing.

If that leaves you with nobody, you flip a coin. If you don't like the result of that, you flip again ... etc.

P.S can we have our princess back lolAbsolutely not! How about a couple of princes?

The 13/11? At least I'll be back from China by then (and I'll "miss" a whole week of the cheerleading :D )

Hans

[MRC_Hans]

The media pitch is already rising - why is it that they immediately go into tactical analysis mode?

Haven't they been at it for weeks already?

Hans

[ThatSoundAgain]

P.S can we have our princess back lol

Yes, but could you take the rest of the royal family as well? Some of us would really like to get with modern times and lose the monarchy. And the state church, that's up for grabs as well as far as I'm concerned.

[MG1962]

It's really rather easy: You take the one that is least ridiculous of those least likely to cooperate with the ultra right wing.

If that leaves you with nobody, you flip a coin. If you don't like the result of that, you flip again ... etc.

Absolutely not! How about a couple of princes?

The 13/11? At least I'll be back from China by then (and I'll "miss" a whole week of the cheerleading :D )

Hans

Well I am available ;) Mind you there is no money back promises - Thats if you dont mind a prince, still looking a bit like a frog lol

[Lisa Simpson]

You only have 3 weeks of cheerleading?!!! We've been dealing with it for months and our election isn't until November 2008!

[Kerberos]

You only have 3 weeks of cheerleading?!!! We've been dealing with it for months and our election isn't until November 2008!

In our dreams. The entire political establishment has been in elction mode for at least two months.

Also The_Fire could you perhaps give us some ideas of what parties you're considering, where you stand politically, what issues you particuarly care about and such? Giving a total oveview of the opinions of all political parties on all concievable subjects might be a bit much.

[ThatSoundAgain]

Haven't they been at it for weeks already?

Hans

For years, as far as I recall. Not that analyses on this level aren't interesting and important, e.g. why was the election called now? But when that's all the coverage there is, it feels like everyone is treating this like a sports match.

[Ryokan]

I'm not Danish, but... Radikale Venstre FTW! For those with truly liberal hearts.

[MRC_Hans]

Well I am available ;) Mind you there is no money back promises - Thats if you dont mind a prince, still looking a bit like a frog lolWell, as long as I'm not doing the kissing.... Actually, I meant, of course, that you can have a couple of our princes instead of Mary. I'm not that much of a royalist, but if we are to have a crown princess at all, she is certainly a good bet if I ever saw one.

Hans

[El Greco]

Elections on Tuesday ? Damn, why do we always have them on Sunday here ?

[Pardalis]

You only have 3 weeks of cheerleading?!!! We've been dealing with it for months and our election isn't until November 2008!

Americans never do anything simple. ;)

[Tsukasa Buddha]

Waah, you guys have too many parties. I can't decide...

Christian Democrats :) !

Actually, I'd go with Enhedslisten, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Socialdemokraterne, or Det Radikale Venstre.

I can't decide between them without actually speaking the language.

[cj.23]

I am in favour of whoever backs the emigre vote, and wishes to give vast tax breaks and large cash rewards to lure them back to Danmark. I suppose also plans to build a huge university in Falster, preferably on my family land, would also be good. OK, someone tell me the actual issues, as I think I get a vote...

cj x

[Oliver]

Approx. 30 minutes ago, the Danish prime minister, Anders "Fjog" Rasmussen called a prime election with vote date november 13th 2007. This means that for the next 3 weeks various political parties are going to vying for my personal vote, selling themselves like prostitutes on speed.

Problem is that this year I actually want to VOTE instead of putting my "x" down after the eniey-miney-moe method that most of my peers seems to favour.

So if anyone could help me figure the differences out between the various chair-hoggers and their respective cheerleading squads (read: Political parties), I would be most gratefull.

Yes, this is mostly for the Danish members of JREF, but I figured it could make for a nice debate.......


Well, you could start reading the articles at Wikipedia
about the parties in Denmark:

Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venstre_%28parti%29) (V)
Socialdemokraterne (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialdemokraterne) (A)
Dansk Folkeparti (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dansk_Folkeparti) (O)
Det Konservative Folkeparti (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Det_Konservative_Folkeparti) (C)
Det Radikale Venstre (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Det_Radikale_Venstre) (B)
Socialistisk Folkeparti (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialistisk_Folkeparti) (F)
Enhedslisten – De Rød-Grønne (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhedslisten) (Ø)
Ny Alliance (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ny_Alliance) (Y)*
Løsgængere (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%B8sg%C3%A6nger)

And then you could go on and learn about their current
political programs:

www.venstre.dk (http://www.venstre.dk/)
socialdemokraterne.dk (http://socialdemokraterne.dk/Default.aspx)
danskfolkeparti.dk (http://www.danskfolkeparti.dk/)
konservative.dk (http://www.konservative.dk)
www.radikale.dk (http://www.radikale.dk/)
www.sf.dk (http://www.sf.dk/)
enhedslisten.dk (http://www.enhedslisten.dk/)
www.nyalliance.dk (http://www.nyalliance.dk/)

[Pardalis]

That social democrat is a cutie.

[Cainkane1]

I hope the muslims are never able to elect a person in Denmark. I've heard that they want the law of sharia in Denmark one day.

[Oliver]

I hope the muslims are never able to elect a person in Denmark. I've heard that they want the law of sharia in Denmark one day.


:D (Stop watching Fox&Co)

[CFLarsen]

I hope the muslims are never able to elect a person in Denmark. I've heard that they want the law of sharia in Denmark one day.

Naser Khader is a muslim and a member of the Parliament.

And no, he doesn't want sharia in Denmark.

[ThatSoundAgain]

That social democrat is a cutie.

On a similar level, after listening to the deabte tonight, I can't decide if she'd be more or less annoying, sonically, than the current PM (she's the only real contender a this point). None of them are great speakers, unfortunately. Still, a change from Fogh's nasal droning of simplistic, ready-made talking points would be welcome.

[ThatSoundAgain]

Naser Khader is a muslim and a member of the Parliament.

And no, he doesn't want sharia in Denmark.

I believe Hüseyin Arac is as well. Oh noes! That's two!

Cainkane, I've heard lots of things, too. If I'm going to hope for something, it is that more people who aren't members of the state church get elected. That includes muslims. We need that to focus the criticism of such an institution.

[chran]

Here's a summary in English (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7060654.stm) for all you non-Vikings.

And ... Ny Alliance for the win!

[MRC_Hans]

I hope the muslims are never able to elect a person in Denmark. I've heard that they want the law of sharia in Denmark one day.Nah, that's just a few of them. Most know better than that. In fact, a number of them are fugitives from countries with sharia laws.

Anyhow, there are already a few muslims in our parliament.

Hans

[WinterMute]

Hope that whoever gets elected priorities the rising language problem in Denmark that is highlighted in this Norwegian "documentary" ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-mOy8VUEBk

[mbp]

Nah, that's just a few of them. Most know better than that.
How do you know for sure? I've never seen any polls on the subject, but perhaps there have been some?

In fact, a number of them are fugitives from countries with sharia laws.
Some of them are, but that doesn't automatically mean they disagree with those laws.

[mbp]

None of them are great speakers, unfortunately.
No, they really aren't. I'd say the overall level of eloquence in our politicians is rather low at the moment. The older generation had a few who were capable, but they've mostly left or faded into the background now.

Still, a change from Fogh's nasal droning of simplistic, ready-made talking points would be welcome.I think simplistic, read-made talking points are here to stay no matter what side you listen to. They're all repeating their small set of prepared phrases over and over again.

[ThatSoundAgain]

No, they really aren't. I'd say the overall level of eloquence in our politicians is rather low at the moment. The older generation had a few who were capable, but they've mostly left or faded into the background now.

I think simplistic, read-made talking points are here to stay no matter what side you listen to. They're all repeating their small set of prepared phrases over and over again.

I'm afraid you're right about the talking points. With few exceptions, I hear that tendency all over.

It's just that Fogh for some reason is made of teflon - any and all criticism of him is deflected by his prepared sound-bites. And amazingly, that works for him when it doesn't for anyone else.

I mean, do you remember Jelved who couldn't get a word in edgewise because everyone was teasing her with that hand bag and something about café latte? Meanwhile Fogh, who is partly responsible for Iraq and had to leave office last time he was minister (of tax), is engorged in positive press about being "down with the people" when he does something inconsequential like rolling up his shirt-sleeves.

[DanishDynamite]

Approx. 30 minutes ago, the Danish prime minister, Anders "Fjog" Rasmussen called a prime election with vote date november 13th 2007. This means that for the next 3 weeks various political parties are going to vying for my personal vote, selling themselves like prostitutes on speed.

Problem is that this year I actually want to VOTE instead of putting my "x" down after the eniey-miney-moe method that most of my peers seems to favour.

So if anyone could help me figure the differences out between the various chair-hoggers and their respective cheerleading squads (read: Political parties), I would be most gratefull.

Yes, this is mostly for the Danish members of JREF, but I figured it could make for a nice debate.......
Vote for continued good times. Vote for Venstre.

[mbp]

It's just that Fogh for some reason is made of teflon - any and all criticism of him is deflected by his prepared sound-bites. And amazingly, that works for him when it doesn't for anyone else.

I mean, do you remember Jelved who couldn't get a word in edgewise because everyone was teasing her with that hand bag and something about café latte? Meanwhile Fogh, who is partly responsible for Iraq and had to leave office last time he was minister (of tax), is engorged in positive press about being "down with the people" when he does something inconsequential like rolling up his shirt-sleeves.
That old tax thing is a non-issue. What happened wasn't his fault, but as the minister everything going on in his department was ultimately his responsibility and so he resigned. By doing this he saved his career and ensured that he'd be able to hold office again at a later date. That's how the unwritten rules are in our parliament. Pia Gjellerup, for example, did pretty much exactly the same thing and no one held that against her when she came back after being forced out of her first ministerial post. Sometimes you just have to take one for the team.

Fogh certainly isn't partly responsible for Iraq. There can be no doubt that Bush would have gone ahead without any Danish support. He was partly responsible for the Danish involvement, but the opposition can't get much traction out of that because the social democrats themselves voted for some of it and because we're no longer there.

I really can't remember a time when Jelved couldn't get a word in edgewise. On the contrary I feel I've spent a fairly large part of my life listening to her scolding me as if I was a naughty eight year old schoolboy. What eventually forced her out had very little to do with the press talking about her handbags, IMO.

But I don't think Fogh and Jelved have (had?) very similar styles at all. No matter what else you might think of him Fogh does come across as calm, unflappable and well prepared. Of these I'll give Jelved "well prepared", but certainly not the other two.

[Kerberos]

Vote for continued good times. Vote for Venstre.

I think he was looking for somethign slightly more substantial than a campaign slogan. we'll get enough of that from the aforementioned drug-addled prostitutes of doom.

[MRC_Hans]

How do you know for sure? I've never seen any polls on the subject, but perhaps there have been some?

There is an emerging movement of moderates.

Some of them are, but that doesn't automatically mean they disagree with those laws.

Would seem quite likely, though.

Hans

[erlando]

I say Venstre as well.. The times the Social Democrats have been at the wheel the debt has shot through the roof. We've spent the better part of the last 6 years or so paying that debt back since Anders Fogh Rasmussen ended the latest Social Democratic spending spree.

[CFLarsen]

I say Venstre as well.. The times the Social Democrats have been at the wheel the debt has shot through the roof. We've spent the better part of the last 6 years or so paying that debt back since Anders Fogh Rasmussen ended the latest Social Democratic spending spree.

Hehehe....... I don't think you want to compare public spending....

[Kerberos]

I say Venstre as well.. The times the Social Democrats have been at the wheel the debt has shot through the roof. We've spent the better part of the last 6 years or so paying that debt back since Anders Fogh Rasmussen ended the latest Social Democratic spending spree.

You might want to pay less atention to propaganda and more to the facts. The debt has been decreasing since 1997. http://www.nationalbanken.dk/C1256BE2005737D3/side/Statens_laantagning_og_gaeld_2001/$file/kap5.htm

And of cause the unemployment dropped dramatically, and the trade balanced improved significantly under Nyrup as well. Sorry to burst you bubble.

I don't supose you could explain which part of Foghs economic policy you find so brilliant? Please don't further illustrate your ignorance by saying the tax stop or I'll have to laugh in your face.

[mbp]

There is an emerging movement of moderates.There are some moderates, no doubt about that. But without any statistics or polls how do you get any idea of their number?
It's also being said that the younger generations are now turning out to be more likely to turn to fundamentalism than than their parents were, but again without any data to back it up. Just anecdotes and a stories of a few individuals.

I'd like to believe that the majority of Muslims living here are firmly behind democracy and secular law, but can we really know?

[chran]

The results are in!

Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AFR) is able to continue leading the country. His block, with the support of a Faerose mandate and New Alliance, has 95 seats in the Parliament (a majority), while the social democrat block has 81 seats.

New Alliance, the party expected to be the "deal breaker" and change the political landscape in Denmark, only managed to get 2.8% of the vote, securing only 5 seats. AFR's Liberal-Conservative block thus has a majority even without NA's mandates.

End result: Back where we started.

The voter turnout was 86.6%

BBC Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7091941.stm)

[Pardalis]

I was kind of rooting for the cute blond... :(




ETA:
The voter turnout was 86.6%

:eek:

Say what? Are you kidding me?

86% ?!!! You people are sick! :p

[Kerberos]

I was kind of rooting for the cute blond... :(




ETA:


:eek:

Say what? Are you kidding me?

86% ?!!! You people are sick! :p
86% is a decent turnout, slightly higher than the last election. We haven't dipped under 80% since WW2 IIRC.

[CFLarsen]

86% is a decent turnout, slightly higher than the last election. We haven't dipped under 80% since WW2 IIRC.

It's actually closer to 90% than 80%:

Election|Percentage
2005|84.4%
2001|87.1%
1998|86.0%
1994|84.3%
1990|82.8%
1988|85.7%
1987|86.7%
1984|88.4%
1981|83.2%
1979|85.6%
1977|88.7%
1975|88.2%
1973|88.7%
1971|87.2%
1968|89.3%
1966|88.6%
1964|85.5%
1960|85.8%
1957|83.7%
1953(2)|80.6%
1953(1)|80.8%

Source (http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folketingsvalg)

It's most fair to count elections since 1953. That year, we got a new constitution (Grundlov) as well as a one-chamber parliament (it was two before).

86% ?!!! You people are sick! :p

What, too low?

[MRC_Hans]

I'd like to believe that the majority of Muslims living here are firmly behind democracy and secular law, but can we really know?I'd like to believe that the majority of people from Jutland living here are firmly behind democracy and secular law, but can we really know?

... I guess we'll just have to take their word for it.

Hans

[MRC_Hans]

I was kind of rooting for the cute blond... :(

Guess you'll have to make do with this one:

http://www.ft.dk/billeder/foto/KFLEES.jpg

(Lene Espersen, minister of justice before the election. I see no reason she shouldn't continue, but you can never quite predict politics).

Hans

[MRC_Hans]

The results are in!

Anders Fogh Rasmussen (AFR) is able to continue leading the country. His block, with the support of a Faerose mandate and New Alliance, has 95 seats in the Parliament (a majority), while the social democrat block has 81 seats.

New Alliance, the party expected to be the "deal breaker" and change the political landscape in Denmark, only managed to get 2.8% of the vote, securing only 5 seats. AFR's Liberal-Conservative block thus has a majority even without NA's mandates.

End result: Back where we started.

The voter turnout was 86.6%

BBC Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7091941.stm)Of course, even without having to have Pia and Naser in the same room, AFR has a bit of a juggling act ahead of him. Not much slack for anything. The opposition will be poised for him to sneeze.

Hans

[Kerberos]

Of course, even without having to have Pia and Naser in the same room, AFR has a bit of a juggling act ahead of him. Not much slack for anything. The opposition will be poised for him to sneeze.

Hans

Or blink. :p

[Oliver]

So Rasmussen won again? :

2007 election

At 11.30 pm on 13 November 2007, the day of the election, Anders Fogh Rasmussen claimed victory on the basis of almost complete results.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Fogh_Rasmussen#_note-0). By the morning of 14 November 2007, after results from the Faroe Islands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroe_Islands) and Greenland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland), Rasmussen's centre-right coalition had obtained the 90 seats required for him to become prime minister. He will thus become the longest-ruling liberal prime minister of Denmark[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Fogh_Rasmussen#_note-1).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Fogh_Rasmussen#2007_election

[ThatSoundAgain]

Yup. Some of us are suspecting* that he called the election just to go for that record (first PM from that particular party to retain the seat for three terms).

* No, not really.

[Oliver]

Yup. Some of us are suspecting* that he called the election just to go for that record (first PM from that particular party to retain the seat for three terms).

* No, not really.


To be honest - I have no Idea about the current political developments
and issues in Denmark, but since he's such a popular person, it sounds as
if he might be a good choice anyway - in contrast to the rest of the pack.

[Pardalis]

86% is a decent turnout, slightly higher than the last election. We haven't dipped under 80% since WW2 IIRC.

It's actually closer to 90% than 80%:

What, too low?

Too high! ;) We hardly can get more than 70% of people to vote here.

Kidding aside, that's a heck of a good turnout.

[ThatSoundAgain]

To be honest - I have no Idea about the current political developments
and issues in Denmark, but since he's such a popular person, it sounds as
if he might be a good choice anyway - in contrast to the rest of the pack.

Well, his popularity is not universal, and I don't know where you get your info about the other party leaders. Like in Germany, only a few are realistic candidates for establishing and leading a government, so this time around there was only one real alternative from the other block. Given her track record - next to none - I can't see Fogh's supposed popularity as the prime deciding factor.

As it stands, we still have a PM who is partly responsible for the mess in Iraq. I find it distressing that that stunt didn't cost him (at the very least) his chair, and that this election could be won on relatively minor issues. (ETA: And the last one, too.)

Now, Fogh is one Faroese from having his work really cut out for him. That, I'd have liked to have seen. Should be fun watching how his old supporters and his new ones get along, though.

[CFLarsen]

To be honest - I have no Idea about the current political developments
and issues in Denmark, but since he's such a popular person, it sounds as
if he might be a good choice anyway - in contrast to the rest of the pack.

So, you think the not-very-popular guy is not the good choice?

(angelic smile)

[gtc]

So, you think the not-very-popular guy is not the good choice?

(angelic smile)

No, see Ron Paul is really popular, its the polls that are wrong.:)

[ruckenheim]

Fogh certainly isn't partly responsible for Iraq. There can be no doubt that Bush would have gone ahead without any Danish support. He was partly responsible for the Danish involvement, but the opposition can't get much traction out of that because the social democrats themselves voted for some of it and because we're no longer there.

WRONG! Get your facts straight, bubba.

Social Democrats did not vote for the war. 31 voted against and had the 21 absentees been voting we wouldn't have started a war with America and broken our constitution, which states that Denmark cannot legally engage in war outside direct defense of our territories or under a UN mandate.

Here's the transcript of the vote: gk2003.dk/downloads/0691_001.pdf

But the government wants you to believe there was popular support for the war as they wanted you to believe Saddam being a threat to Danish security which is as far fetched as believing in Santa Clause - maybe someone should put up a million dollars to anyone who can prove that little fairy tale (we were subjected to the same nonsense regarding WMDs as the Americans).

Btw, the Danish prime is being sued by a growing group of people (now 3500+) for the constitutional breach that Iraq is. He is trying his best to stay out of court and has had the case dismissed once on the grounds that the plaintiffs have no personal interest in the Iraq war. Problem is, several of the plaintiffs are parents to soldiers who were killed in Iraq. I'd say, as would most people that these parents have a very direct interest in whether some one sends their sons to their deaths in a war that was illegal by Danish law. Really, imho, every citizen in Denmark has a direct interest when our Prime breaks our constitution.

For some reason, Iraq was hardly mentioned during our election. Embarrassed anyone?