A bad week for incumbentsPrime minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats had its worst result since 1903 in Denmark’s general election yesterday, although it remained the biggest party. And although her left-leaning “red bloc” of parties won 84 seats to the right-leaning blue bloc’s 77, Frederiksen is not certain to remain prime minister after what is likely to be weeks of coalition negotiations. Poulsen said last night he does not want to go back into government with the Social Democrats, calling for a new, centre-right coalition. Frederiksen became a role model for some struggling centre-left leaders across Europe when she adopted harsh anti-immigration policies. The outcome of Tuesday’s referendum on judicial reform in Italy was, by contrast, a straightforward and resounding defeat for prime minister Giorgia Meloni.

Source: The Irish Times March 25, 2026 09:55 UTC