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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight and Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Folketinget / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1889 - LEADERSHIP President Pia Kjaersgaard (F)  Notes Elected on 3 July 2015. Secretary General Carsten U. Larsen (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 179 / 179 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 67 (37.43%) Mode of designation directly elected 179 Term 4 years; The Prime Minister may at any time within the 4-year period call new elections. Last renewal dates 18 June 2015 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Folketinget Christiansborg DK - 1240 COPENHAGEN K (Export mailing lists) Phone (45) 33 37 55 00 Fax (45) 33 89 36 20 33 89 55 17 E-mail folketinget@folketinget.dk Peter.Riis@ft.dk Website http://www.ft.dk

Parliament name (generic / translated) Folketinget / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 13 May 1987 Last amendment: 10/04/1991 Mode of designation directly elected 179 Constituencies 10 multi-member constituencies corresponding to counties, subdivided into 92 nomination districts. Voting system Proportional: Proportional representation system according to a modified version of the St. Laguë method and Hare quota and using the method of greatest remainders. Each elector can cast either a "personal vote" for one of the candidates or a vote for one of the party lists. They can vote for any of the candidates or parties of their constituency, not being limited to those of their nomination district. Of the 175 seats reserved for Denmark proper, 135 seats are distributed among the constituencies. In order to distribute these constituency seats among the political groups in contention, the total vote of each party in a constituency is divided by 1, 3, 5 and so on by odd numbers in order to arrive at the quotients on the basis of which seats are allocated). Utilization of this method ensures representation for smaller parties. The 40 remaining, or compensatory, seats are then distributed among the parties which either have won at least one constituency seat; have obtained, in two electoral regions, at least as many votes as the average number of valid votes cast in the region, per constituency seat; or have obtained at least 2% of all valid votes cast in the country as a whole. Such distribution, based on votes obtained on the national scale, is aimed at redressing the imbalance caused through the distribution of the constituency seats. When it has been decided which parties are entitled to a share of the compensatory seats, the number of seats which each party is proportionately entitled to of the 175 seats is calculated on the basis of the total number of votes cast for these parties in all parts of the country. From the number of seats thus arrived at for each party, the number of constituency seats already obtained by the party is deducted. The resulting figure is the number of compensatory seats due to the party. The end result of this system is a distribution of seats in the Folketing that faithfully reflects the share of the popular votes received by the parties. Candidates who have been nominated but not elected figure on a list of substitute members drawn up by the Ministry of Interior after each general election. These substitute members fill the seats which become vacant between general elections. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - Age: 18 years - Danish citizenship - permanent residence in Denmark - disqualifications: legally declared incompetency CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 18 years - Danish citizenship Ineligibility: conviction for an act which in the eyes of the public makes the candidate unworthy of being a member of the Folketing. Incompatibilities (not applicable) Candidacy requirements - Nomination by party or individuals - candidatures must be registered at least 11 days prior to polling day - party lists must be submitted at least 8 days before polling day - independents need backing of the 150 to 200 electors from their district

Parliament name (generic / translated) Folketinget / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 18 June 2015 Timing and scope of renewal The Blue bloc, a four-party centre-right alliance, led by former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, won 90 of the 175 seats at stake in these earlier-than-scheduled elections. Eighty-five seats were won by the Red bloc, a five-party centre-left alliance (see note 1) led by Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (see note 2). Although her Social Democratic Party remained the largest party with 47 seats, the Prime Minister conceded defeat and resigned as party leader after ten years in charge. The Danish People's Party led by Kristian Thulesen Dahl, became the second largest party, winning 37 seats compared to 22 in 2011. On 28 June, Mr. Rasmussen formed a minority government, comprising only the members of his Liberal Party (Venstre). As Venstre won 34 out of 179 seats, it has formed the second smallest administration ever, after the one formed in 1973 by Poul Hartling (Venstre), which had 22 seats. The elections were called four months early. Ms. Thorning-Schmidt said that the timing for an election was right and pointed to positive growth forecasts for the Danish economy. The major electoral issues included immigration, welfare spending, job creation and economic growth. In the run-up to polling day, the country's cradle-to-grave welfare system took centre-stage, with major parties debating the scope of unemployment benefits. Note 1: - The Blue bloc comprised the Liberal Party (Venstre), the Danish People's Party, the Liberal Alliance and the Conservative People's Party. - The Red bloc comprised the Social Democratic Party, the Social Liberal Party (RV), the Socialist People's Party, the Unity List-Red-Green Alliance and the Alternative (A). Note 2: Ms. Thorning-Schmidt's minority government, formed in October 2011, initially comprised her Social Democratic Party, the Social Liberal Party and the Socialist People's Party. The Socialist People's Party left the government in January 2014. Date of previous elections: 15 September 2011 Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 18 June 2015* *The outgoing legislature was dissolved at 20:00 on 18 June 2015 in accordance with section 32 (4) of the Constitution which stipulates “No seats shall be vacated until a new election has been held”. Timing of election: Early elections Expected date of next elections: June 2019 Number of seats at stake: 179 (full renewal) Number of candidates: 799 (549 men, 250 women) Percentage of women candidates: 31.3% Number of parties contesting the election: 10 Number of parties winning seats: 9 Alternation of power: Yes Number of parties in government: 1 Names of parties in government: Liberal Party (Venstre) Date of the first session of the new parliament: 2 July 2015 * *In accordance with Section 35 (1) of the Constitution, the “newly elected Folketing shall assemble at twelve o’clock noon on the twelfth weekday after the day of election, unless the King has previously summoned a meeting of its members”. Name of the new Speaker: Ms. Pia Kjaersgaard (Danish People's Party) STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 18 June 2015 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 4'145'105 3'560'060 (85.89%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Social Democratic Party Danish People's Party Liberal Party (Venstre) Unity List-Red-Green Alliance Liberal Alliance Alternative Social Liberal Party (RV) Socialist People's Party Conservative People's Party Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Constituency seats Compensatory seats Social Democratic Party 47 43 4 Danish People's Party 37 33 4 Liberal Party (Venstre) 34 33 1 Unity List-Red-Green Alliance 14 10 4 Liberal Alliance 13 9 4 Alternative 9 3 6 Social Liberal Party (RV) 8 2 6 Socialist People's Party 7 2 5 Conservative People's Party 6 0 6 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 112 67 37.43% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: Parliament (30.06.2015) http://www.dst.dk/valg/Valg1487635/other/startside.htm Note Four other members are elected separately from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The statistics above exclude the election results for these four members. Election results for Greenland: Inuit Ataqatigiits: 1 seat Forward (Siumut): 1 seat Election results for the Faroe Islands: Republicans (Tjóðveldi): 1 seat Social Democratic Party (Javnaðarflokkurin): 1 seat Note on the number of women: In all 67 women (including two from Greenland) were elected.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Folketinget / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Danish Parliament Term - duration: 1 year at the beginning of every sessional year (October), may be re-elected; - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death Appointment - elected by the Members of the Folketing, at the opening of every session and when the Folketing meets for the first time after a general election - after the approval of the validity of the general election Eligibility all Members are eligible, notified by parties Voting system - vote may be omitted if there is only one candidate and there are no objections to this candidate - vote by public ballot, usually (may be secret if the Folketing so decides) - if one of the Members nominated gets more than half of the votes cast, he/she is elected - if not, another free vote is held - if this does not result in the said majority of votes either, a third vote is held - the third vote is confined to the two candidates who received the largest number of votes during the second vote, and lots will be drawn in the event of a parity of votes. Procedures / results - the most senior Member presides over the Assembly during the voting, at the opening of a sessional year - the tellers count the votes and notify the Speaker of the result - the most senior Member announces the results without any delay - 60 Members can request in writing and with at least 3 days' notice a new election for the Speakership STATUS Status - ranks third in the hierarchy of State, after the Head of State and the Leader of the Government - represents the Assembly with the public authorities - is ex officio chairman of the Folketing committees - in the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy-Speakers (and in their absence, one of the tellers) can assume his/her role and functions Board - the Presidium consists of the Speaker and the 4 Deputy Speakers: - the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) consists 21 Members who are ex officio Members and whose chairman is the Speaker); the other 16 Members are elected on a pro rata basis, every year at Membersthe opening of the session and after a general election - meets when necessary when convened by the Speaker - the Speaker has the final say in most matters - in some matters, the SOC must be consulted Material facilities - special allowance equivalent to that for a Minister (DKK 380 703 per annum) - right to a pension as a former Speaker - official residence in the parliamentary building - official car with a driver - secretariat - general administrative services FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study - the Folketing can, if it so desires, refers bills to other committees than those recommended by the Speaker (this very rarely occurs) Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Assembly - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum after the vote - authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly, according to precedents Special powers - the Presidium discusses proposals for the Folketing's budget and submits a recommendation to the SOC - employs and dismisses civil servants and other employees in the administration - employs and dismisses senior civil servants (including the Clerk) after discussion with the 4 Deputy Speakers and following approval by the SOC - manages the organization of the internal affairs in consultation with the 4 Deputy Speakers - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber Speaking and voting rights, other functions - can take the floor in legislative debates - can cut off a debate which goes too far in relation to the bill which is being debated - takes part in voting - normally does not propose bills or amendments except in special cases such as bills which concerns parliamentary conditions - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure - signs the laws together with one of the tellers and transmits them to the appropriate Ministry

Parliament name (generic / translated) Folketinget / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (S. 56 of the Constitution Act of 05.06.1953) Start of the mandate · On the election day, when the election has ended. Certain rights only accrue to MPs when their election has been approved and they have made the declaration of adherence to the Constitution Act (S. 32 (7) of the Constitution Act, SO 1 (8) and (9) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) · Procedure Validation of mandates · Validation by the Folketing on recommendation of a committee (S. 33 of the Constitution Act, SO 1 (2) to (7), and 7 (1) (2.) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing, S. 86 and 87 of the Parliamentary Election Act) · Procedure End of the mandate · On the day of new elections (S. 32 (4) of the Constitution Act; the same applies in case of early dissolution, see S. 32 (2) and (3) of the Constitution Act) Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will · Procedure (SO 40 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing, S. 92 of the Parliamentary Election Act) Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter: - Loss of mandate for loss of eligibility (S. 29, 30, 32 (6), and 33 of the Constitution Act, and SO 7 (1) (2.) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Invalidation of election after approval by the Folketing (S. 33 of the Constitution Act, SO 1 (5) to (7), and SO 7 (1) (2.) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy Indemnities, facilities and services · Official passport. Certain MPs may apply for diplomatic passports. · Basic salary (see also S. 58 of the Constitution Act): DKK 586,525 per year (as of 1 Oct. 2009) + Cost allowance: in accordance with residence · Exemption from tax for the cost allowance. The basic salary is not exempted from tax. · Pension scheme (Law on Election to the Danish Parliament, Lb. no. 271 of 13.05.1987, as amended by the laws no. 744 of 07.12.1988 and no. 245 of 19.04.1989) · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat (b) Assistants (c) Free housing for the 5 Members of the Presidium in Christiansborg (d) Postal and telephone services (e) Travel and transport (f) Others Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (S. 57 of the Constitution Act). · Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament, provided that they are pronounced in the exercise of the mandate. · Derogations: consent of the Folketing; improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing; see Discipline) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (S. 57 of the Constitution Act). · It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of minor offences (i.e. ticket fines), and protects MPs from arrest, from being held in preventive custody, and from the opening of judicial proceedings against them. It does not protect them from their homes being searched. · Derogations: in the case of flagrante delicto, the consent of the Folketing is not necessary. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (S. 57 of the Constitution Act): - Competent authority: the Folketing In this case, MPs need not be heard. They do not have means of appeal. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. It consists of introduction lectures and courses. · It is provided by officials of Parliament. · Handbooks of parliamentary procedure: - The Standing Orders of the Folketing - Guide for Members of Parliament Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings, or other meetings (for leave of absence, see S. 41 of the Constitution Act). · There are no penalties foreseen. Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in SO 29 to 31 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing. · Disciplinary measures foreseen : - Order to sit down (SO 29 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Call to order (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Order to discontinue the speech (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Declining to call upon the Member to speak again (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Suspension from Parliament (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Adjournment or close of the sitting (SO 29 (4), and 30 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Closure of the debate (SO 31 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) · Specific cases: - Improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) · Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties: - Order to sit down, call to order, order to discontinue the speech, declining to call upon the Member to speak again, adjournment or close of the sitting, improper statements or offence: the President - Suspension from Parliament: the Standing Orders Committee - Closure of the debate: the Folketing · Procedure: - Order to sit down (SO 29 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Call to order, order to discontinue the speech, declining to call upon the Member to speak again, suspension from Parliament (SO 29 (2) and (3) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Adjournment or close of the sitting (SO 29 (4), and 30 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Closure of the debate (SO 31 of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) - Improper statements or offence (SO 29 (2) to (4) of the Standing Orders of the Folketing) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 15 August 2018
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