Election day in Denmark

[DanishDynamite]

Hmm, it's the far left(Enhedslisten) and the far right(Dansk folkeparti) who's against the EU. The other parties are offically for, though with internal disagreement in some of them(esp.Socialistisk folkeparti), so it's not correct to say the anti-EUers are the socialists.

Well, you are correct nowadays, its true. However, just a very few years ago, the socialist parties were all against. I guess I haven't quite adjusted to their "official" policy yet.

 

[Cleopatra]

Without wanting to derail this thread, its worth bearing in mind that immigrants grow old too. You cant keep a country running by continualy funnelling in new people- theres a limit to what poulation a country can sustain and still maintain a decent standard of living.

I totally agree but at least in Greece immigrants tend to breed many children.

 

[DanishDynamite]

The leader of the largest opposition party, the Social Democrats, has just made his concession speech. It was actually a good speech, and there is little doubt in my mind that he believes in what he stands for. I respect that.

But the result is clear. The Liberal-Conservative government will continue.

Cool!

 

[karl]

I find amazing how the socialist parties in Europe have embraced euroskepticism! I mean, socialism was founded on Internationalism which was a totally Marxist concept! EU is supposed to abolish nations and creat a union instead quite a socialist concept but still the socialist parties have developed into euroskeptic entities.

A close relationship with a group of other nations tends to make your taxes, legislation, prices and salaries drift towards the average. Especially in a free-trade union like the EU. A political party whose goal is to move further away from the average would naturally be Euro-skeptical. But a few years in the seats of power in the European Parliament tend to break down that resistance.

I also have a theory that the Social Democrats in extreme high-tax countries like Sweden and Denmark deep down know that it's impossible to maintain their status quo in the long run anyway, EU or no EU, and that they see the union as a handy excuse to back down from some of their principles. The EU "forced" them to do it.

 

[mbp]

But the result is clear. The Liberal-Conservative government will continue.

Cool!

Yes. The best result, imo, although neither side has impressed me much during this election.

For the first time ever I was an assessor at my local voting place. This job is a civic duty in Denmark. Sort of like being on a jury.
It meant being there from 8.30 until 22.00 and most of the time it was supremely boring. Except at the end during the actual counting.

But it was a nice feeling to be a part of the "nuts and bolts" of a working democracy. And also to see the incredible variety of people who made the effort to vote.
The turnout at our place was around 87%. A little lower than last time, but still pretty good.

 

[DanishDynamite]

Yes. The best result, imo, although neither side has impressed me much during this election.

Venstre hasn't impressed me either. I mean, I was fairly shocked when Fogh dismissed Liberalism. I suddenly was at a loss. But I decided that this was probably just "election-speech" and in any case I had almost no where else to put my vote.

For the first time ever I was an assessor at my local voting place. This job is a civic duty in Denmark. Sort of like being on a jury.
It meant being there from 8.30 until 22.00 and most of the time it was supremely boring. Except at the end during the actual counting.

But it was a nice feeling to be a part of the "nuts and bolts" of a working democracy. And also to see the incredible variety of people who made the effort to vote.
The turnout at our place was around 87%. A little lower than last time, but still pretty good.

Excellent stuff, mbp! Well done.

I must admit I have no idea how such people are actually chosen.

 

[mbp]

He's said on more than one occasion he holds dual citizenship. Does he actually have to live there? No absentee ballot?

I don't think that can be true. AFAIK you give up your Danish citizenship when you become a citizen of another country.

And yes, he would have to live here. There are a number of exceptions to that rule (studying abroad, working for a Danish company abroad, living abroad for healt reasons, etc.), but none that would apply to him.

 

[DanishDynamite]

I don't think that can be true. AFAIK you give up your Danish citizenship when you become a citizen of another country.

And yes, he would have to live here. There are a number of exceptions to that rule (studying abroad, working for a Danish company abroad, living abroad for healt reasons, etc.), but none that would apply to him.

See my reply above.

 

[mbp]

See my reply above.

Well, yes. But even the notion that he might have a dual citizenship is false, I think.This isn't recognised as a possibility in Denmark.

I actually had a guy come up to me and complain about this today. He emigrated to Australia 26 years ago and then became an Australian citizen some years later. Now he's moved back to Denmark, but has to regain his Danish citizenship "from scratch" like any other immigrant. So he wasn't allowed to vote today and was quite angry about it.

 

[mbp]

Venstre hasn't impressed me either. I mean, I was fairly shocked when Fogh dismissed Liberalism. I suddenly was at a loss. But I decided that this was probably just "election-speech" and in any case I had almost no where else to put my vote.

Exactly. Choosing the lesser evil is still an easy choice. But it's not something that makes me rally happy. Just a bit relieved.

I must admit I have no idea how such people are actually chosen.

In principle the local council can appoint any eligeble voters to the job.
In practice they ask the various political parties to provide the people. So at every voting place there will (usually) be people from all political parties.

There are non-partisan officials there to lead the process, though. Us grunts are merely there to do the most boring work and to observe that everthing is done properly.

 

[Lucky]

CFLarsen and any other Danish Lefties: It’s so long since we had a Left alternative to any Government in the UK that I’ve almost forgotten what a real election is like. I’m sorry the Left challenge failed in Denmark, and better luck next time. Four years is a short time in politics, unfortunately.

 

[DanishDynamite]

Well, yes. But even the notion that he might have a dual citizenship is false, I think.This isn't recognised as a possibility in Denmark.

Agreed.

I actually had a guy come up to me and complain about this today. He emigrated to Australia 26 years ago and then became an Australian citizen some years later. Now he's moved back to Denmark, but has to regain his Danish citizenship "from scratch" like any other immigrant. So he wasn't allowed to vote today and was quite angry about it.

I understand his wrath. I wish I knew a better alternative.

 

[DanishDynamite]

Exactly. Choosing the lesser evil is still an easy choice. But it's not something that makes me rally happy. Just a bit relieved.

I suspect "choosing the lesser evil" has always been a part of democracy.

In principle the local council can appoint any eligeble voters to the job.
In practice they ask the various political parties to provide the people. So at every voting place there will (usually) be people from all political parties.

There are non-partisan officials there to lead the process, though. Us grunts are merely there to do the most boring work and to observe that everthing is done properly.

Thanks! Very interesting stuff and thank you once again for being a "volunteer" to the democratic process.

 

[DanishDynamite]

CFLarsen and any other Danish Lefties: It’s so long since we had a Left alternative to any Government in the UK that I’ve almost forgotten what a real election is like. I’m sorry the Left challenge failed in Denmark, and better luck next time. Four years is a short time in politics, unfortunately.

Crapolla. You've had the socialists at the helm for many, many years now.

 

[Lucky]

Obviously you've been celebrating, but in my opinion that doesn't excuse your rudeness (and ignorance). Even the Tories have long since given up describing New Labour as 'Socialist'.

 

[DanishDynamite]

Lucky:

Obviously you've been celebrating, but in my opinion that doesn't excuse your rudeness (and ignorance).

What rudeness, old boy?

Even the Tories have long since given up describing New Labour as 'Socialist'

Are you saying that Labour isn't by definition Socialist?

 

[CFLarsen]

CFLarsen and any other Danish Lefties: It’s so long since we had a Left alternative to any Government in the UK that I’ve almost forgotten what a real election is like. I’m sorry the Left challenge failed in Denmark, and better luck next time. Four years is a short time in politics, unfortunately.

Ehh....the Left gained 3 seats. Venstre (the biggest ruling party) lost 4 seats. So much for the "PM effect"....

 

[Lucky]

From DanishDynamite:
Are you saying that Labour isn't by definition Socialist?

We could argue about the definition, but I would say that if New Labour is 'Socialist' then the word now has no meaning at all. I mean, even in the most minimal sense of thinking that perhaps the poor should be a trifle less poor and the rich a trifle less rich.

From CFLarsen:
the Left gained 3 seats. Venstre (the biggest ruling party) lost 4 seats

True, the results don't suggest that the Danish people are completely satisfied with their government, but doubtless you would have preferred a Left victory. And, as an interested outsider, so would I.

 

[Kerberos]

Certainly. According to the exitpolls it appears that the current administration can continue. The current administration is a coalition of Venstre (a liberal party, where liberal is in the European sense) and Konservative (the Conservatives).

I don't really think you can call Venstre a liberal party anymore, under Uffe-Elleman (that previous leader of Venstre) they were, but not under Fogh (the current leader and prime minister), he sold out on his liberalism, so much that IMO there's nothing left.

Venstre is very pro-EU, the Conservatives are perhaps less so, but still pro.

I don't see venstre as all that pro-EU, certainly they aren't opponents of the EU, but Fogh doesn't seem estatic either. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to remove the opt -outs for example (DK has opted out of 4 areas of the European Union namely the Euro, the military branch, the judicial and internal affairs branch and the union citizenship) and he even favours retaining the judicial opt-out in a modicfied form. Also I don't think the conservatives are less pro-EU than Venstre, they might have been so histotically, or perhaps it's just that Venstre has become less pro-EU since Fogh became leader of the party.

I incidentially voted for det radikal venstre (the social liberal party) which is very pro-EU, favours welfare and tax-reforms, and opposes most of the restrictions on living in Denmark with foreign spouses.

 

[Kerberos]

Ehh....the Left gained 3 seats. Venstre (the biggest ruling party) lost 4 seats. So much for the "PM effect"....

The left only gained three seats if you consider the Social Liberal Party leftwing which is debatable. Also the conservatives gained three seats, and the Danish Peoples Party (unfortunatly) gained two so it's hardly a crushing defeat for the governement.