Freedom in the World 2001 - Denmark

2001 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Civil Liberties: 1
Political Rights: 1

Overview

Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen suffered a setback when Danes voted by a wide margin against adopting the euro in a September referendum. The outcome of the referendum reflected popular concerns about preserving democracy, national sovereignty, and Denmark's generous welfare state. It also gave a boost to Pia Kjaersgaard's ultranationalist Danish People's Party (DPP), which has seen its popularity nearly double since the 1998 general election.

Denmark is the oldest monarchy in Europe. Queen Margrethe II, whose reign began in 1972, performs mostly ceremonial functions such as appointing the prime minister and cabinet ministers after they have been chosen by parliamentary leaders. The 1953 constitution established a unicameral parliament, or Folketing, in which 135 of the 179 members are elected in 17 mainland districts. Two representatives from each of the semiautonomous regions of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland are also elected. The remaining seats are allocated on a proportional basis to parties receiving more than two percent of the vote. An extensive system of local representation includes both regional and local councils. Prime Minister Rasmussen heads a minority coalition government comprising his Social Democrats and the Radical Liberals.

In voting against the euro, Danes defied the government, main opposition parties, big business, major trade unions, and economists, all of whom support monetary union. But some opponents of the euro say that monetary union will weaken Denmark's welfare system. Others cite European sanctions against Austria following the electoral success of Jorg Haider's Freedom Party as proof of the EU's undemocratic tendencies. And nationalists like Kjaersgaard oppose European integration along with immigration as a threat to national identity. Foreign minister Niels Helveg Petersen resigned in December in disagreement over Danes' decision to opt out of participation in the Euro and European defense.

The DPP's anti-Europe, anti-immigrant platform has gained significant support among Danes. Seven percent voted for the party in the 1998 election, and 12 percent of people polled in late 2000 said that they would vote for the DPP in the next election. However, DPP participation in government in the near future appears unlikely, as most major and minor parties refuse to align themselves with a party that they consider to be xenophobic. Rasmussen's government appeared to be stable at year's end. A general election is due by March 2002.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Danes can change their government democratically. Representatives are elected to the Folketing at least once every four years in a modified system of proportional representation. The autonomous territory of Greenland held a general election in 1999 for its 31-seat parliament. Prime Minister Jonathan Motzfeldt's social democratic Siumut Party has dominated politics on the island for more than 20 years. The Danish monarchy, whose role is largely ceremonial, still enjoys vast support among Danes.

The judiciary is independent, and citizens enjoy full due process rights. The court system consists of 100 local courts, 2 high courts, and a 15-member supreme court with judges appointed by the queen on recommendation of the government.

Danish media reflect a wide variety of political opinions and are frequently critical of the government. The state finances radio and television broadcasting, but state-owned television companies have independent editorial boards. Independent radio stations are permitted but tightly regulated.

The rights of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities are widely respected. However, the DPP has tapped into public fears about crime and national identity to rally opinion against immigrants. In January 2000, the DPP placed an ad in a national newspaper mocking a campaign by a group that assists jobless immigrants in finding work. The ad drew heavy criticism from rights activists and politicians, one of whom compared Pia Kjaersgaard to Hitler. But anti-immigrant sentiment has risen, and in 2000 the government responded with legislation barring immigrants under age 25 from bringing foreign spouses to Denmark. Another measure makes learning Danish a requirement for receiving some forms of welfare.

Denmark is among the countries most tolerant of gay people. In 1989, Denmark became the first country to grant legal recognition to same-sex partnerships. In May 2000, Denmark passed legislation granting gays and lesbians in registered partnerships to adopt each other's children.

Freedom of worship is guaranteed to all. More than 90 percent of the population belongs to the state-supported Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Evangelical Lutheran faith is taught in public schools, although students are not required to attend religious classes.

Women constitute approximately 45 percent of the Danish labor force. According to the Swiss-based Inter-Parliamentary Union, Denmark ranks behind only Sweden in its percentage of women in parliament; more than 30 percent of Danish parliamentarians are women.

Workers are free to organize, bargain collectively, and strike. The vast majority of wage earners belong to trade unions and their umbrella organization, the Danish Federation of Trade Unions.