Harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric might be on the wane.The Danes go to the polls on 15 September to elect a new parliament
after the shortest possible official campaign, just 20 days. However, Denmark has been in campaign mode all year since everybody, not least the politicians, knew the days of the Liberal-Conservative government's four-year term were numbered.
Like other European countries, Denmark was hit by the financial crises and the popularity of the governing alliance suffered.
The coalition is offering itself for another term, but there is some doubt about its future relationship with the populist right-wing Danish People's Party, a staunch supporter for the past ten years.Denmark is likely to see a change on 15 September. All the opinion polls suggest that the so-called ‘blue bloc' will be ousted by the ‘red bloc' – the alliance built by Helle Thorning-Schmidt of the Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterne) and Villy Søvndal of the Socialist People's Party. Its potential partners include the more left-wing Unity List, and the centrist social-liberal party, somewhat misleading named the Radicals.
Foreign policy, including EU-related issues (see below), has been largely absent from the campaign and little change is expected whatever the eventual government.
The immigration issue seems to have run its course in Danish politics after being decisive in the elections of 2001, 2005 and 2007. The left alliance has toughened its policy in order to cover its back, and
the influence of the Danish People's Party – as demonstrated recently in the controversial border- control initiative – will be reduced if the government changes. “I think a new government will try to set a new, more positive tone when it comes to foreigners,” says Møller Hansen.
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/imported/danes-lean-to-the-left-amid-concern-for-economic-security/71948.aspx
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