Denmark Gives New Mandate to Prime Minister

Early-election gamble yields third term for right-wing coalition

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2007 11:36 AM CST

(Newser) – Denmark's ruling coalition won a third term in government yesterday for right-leaning PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who called the election 15 months ahead of schedule, reports the Times of London. The party of Naser Khader, a Syrian-born legislator, did not win enough seats to force the ruling coalition to include it, but Rasmussen said today he might attempt to bring it into the government.

The Liberal Party—headed by Rasmussen, who drew worldwide notice in the furor following publication of cartoons of the Muslim prophet Mohammed—leads the coalition that has 90 of 179 parliamentary seats; the leftist Social Democrats have 84. Officials say 86.5% of Denmark's 4 million voters came to the polls yesterday, with immigration, welfare, and taxes the campaign's central issues.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen enters a celebration held in his honor Tuesday Nov. 13, 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fogh Rasmussen declared victory in Tuesday's election after near-complete... (Associated Press)

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, votes with his wife, Anne-Mette Rasmussen, in Denmarks national election in Naerum,Denmark Tuesday Nov 13, 2007,. (AP Photo/Kim Agersten, POLFOTO) (Associated Press)

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaks at a celebration held in his honor Tuesday Nov. 13, 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fogh Rasmussen declared victory in Tuesday's election after near-complete... (Associated Press)

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Cartoon Row Over, a Danish Muslim Rises

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Cartoon Row Over, a Danish Muslim Rises

Days before elections, all eyes turn to Syrian-born MP

Planned Undersea Tunnel Divides Germans, Danish

$7.2B, 12.5-mile endeavor would be Europe's largest infrastructure project

Gay Rights Pioneer Axel Axgil Dead at 96

Danish activist tied the knot in world's 1st gay marriage

NATO at Odds on When to Stop Bombing Libya

US pushing to continue the air campaign for now

Danes Launch Fat Tax

$1.32 added for each pound of saturated fat in foods

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