Danish election: Opposition bloc wins

Denmark's opposition parties beat the ruling coalition after a close general election on the 18 June 2015.

The centre-right group led by ex-PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen beat the current Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt's centre-left coalition, although her party was the largest.

Ms Thorning-Schmidt stood down as Social Democratic Party leader.

The right-wing, anti-immigration Danish People's Party became the second-largest in parliament.

The Local.dk reported on the 21 June 2015 that after weekend negotiations, Lars Løkke Rasmussen of the centre-right Venstre party had concluded that forming a majority government was 'not possible' and would now look at the options for minority rule.

On the 28 June 2015 Mr Rasmussen unveiled his minority government made up only of ministers from his Venstre party.

• Primary Source

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The Local.dk, 19.06.15: Danish far right secures blue bloc win http://www.thelocal.dk/20150619/danish-far-right-secures-blue-bloc-win

Politiken, 19.06.15: Eurosceptics put Denmark's reputation at risk (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE164906-Eurosceptics-put-Denmark-s-reputation-at-risk

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EurActiv, 19.06.15: Rightist coalition wins Danish election http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/rightist-coalition-wins-danish-election-315545

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The Conversation, 19.06.15: Danish government voted out — but who moves in depends on a battle of wills on the right http://theconversation.com/danish-government-voted-out-but-who-moves-in-depends-on-a-battle-of-wills-on-the-right-43417

El País, 22.06.15: Danish populists' rise should be taken seriously (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE164968-Danish-populists-rise-should-be-taken-seriously

The Local.dk, 20.06.15: Rasmussen begins govt negotiations http://www.thelocal.dk/20150620/rasmussen-begins-govt-negotiations

The Local.dk, 21.06.15: Denmark's Rasmussen to form minority govt http://www.thelocal.dk/20150621/denmarks-rasmussen-to-form-minority-government

EurActiv, 27.06.15: Liberals form small, minority government in Denmark http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/liberals-form-small-minority-government-denmark-315798

The Local.dk, 28.06.15: Here is Denmark’s new government http://www.thelocal.dk/20150628/here-is-denmarks-new-government

European Council: Press Release: PRES/15/536, 28.06.15: Letter of congratulations from President Donald Tusk to the new Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2015/06/28-tusk-congratulations-prime-minister-denmark-rasmussen/

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