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 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP-01-00707R000200110016-6

Government and Politics

A. Introduction (U/OU)

The Danish Government is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy that scrupulously respects the citizen's personal rights and liberties. The Kingdom of Denmark is in fact governed by a Prime Minister and his Cabinet, who are responsible to a unicameral parliament, the Folketing. Because of the small size of the country, the homogeneity of the population, the effectiveness of local elective bodies, and the efficiency of the civil service, few local or regional problems exist that are not considered with care by the national government. The efficiency of governmental processes is reinforced by a press and a broadcast service which disseminate a broad spectrum of information and opinion to a politically enlightened and responsible public. An independent judiciary dispensing equal and humane justice serves as an effective guardian of individual rights.

The Danish citizen displays an uncommonly high interest in the conduct of the affairs of his country. Undemonstrative by nature, he expresses his concerns peacefully through normal political channels. Although voting is not compulsory by law, an average of 86% of the adult population has participated in the 11 national elections since World War II. Approximately 73% to 80% customarily participate in local elections.

Political life is characterized by stability and compromise. As in the other Scandinavian countries, a multi-party system functions with relative efficiency because of the essential pragmatism of Danish politicians and a lack of divisive issues among the population. The Social Democratic Party, while carrying on its pre-World War II role as the leading political force, has seen its strength eroded, first by the rising appeal of parties to its left and then, since 1968, by the enhanced popularity of the parties to its right. In 1968 the Social Democratic Party yielded the reins of government for the first time in 15 years to a center-right coalition of the Radical Liberal, Moderate Liberal, and Conservative Parties. Returning to power in 1971, the Social Democrats were dependent for their plurality of one vote on the small Socialist People's Party and on the consistent support of one (out of two) Greenland and one (out of two) Faroese deputies. A liberal proportional representation system encourages the existence of minor parties.

Danish governments have been generally stable and effective, despite the fact that 9 of the 11 post-World War II governments have not held a parliamentary majority. With the exception of the April 1953 Cabinet, which was dissolved to allow elections under the new Constitution, the life of the average government has been nearly 3 years. National elections must be held at least every 4 years.

The major domestic issues that formerly troubled Danish political life have generally been resolved. Parliamentary government, free enterprise, and the welfare system are accepted by all significant political parties. Differences center about the rate of expansion of the state welfare system, the extent of government controls on business, and, most recently, the desirability of continued socialization in the labor force - the imposition of "economic democracy." Parties tend to represent particular economic interests, which they hope to advance through maneuver and compromise in the delicately balanced multi-party parliament. Although post-World War II governments have taken an increasing interests in international political affairs, they still devote the greater measure of their energies to the regulation of the domestic economy and improvements in the quality of Danish life.

Its isolationist tradition shattered by the German wartime occupation, Denmark has chosen to look to regional and world organizations for its national security and economic well-being. Denmark has been a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 1949, although its commitment to the goals of the Western Alliance has at times been less than wholehearted. The Danes took their most dramatic outward-looking step by acceding to the European Communities (EC) through the October 1972 national referendum. Denmark participates actively in the United Nations and, like other Scandinavian countries, regards it as a forum from

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP-01-00707R000200110016-6