Denmark Government, Constitution, Flag, and Leaders

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Denmark Government


Browse the listing below to find government information for Denmark, including flags, leaders, and constitution information. Factrover also has complete information on Denmark at its Denmark Country Page.

  • Denmark People
  • Denmark Geography
  • Denmark Economy
  • Denmark History

    Government
    Type: Constitutional monarchy.
    Constitution: June 5, 1953.
    Branches: Executive--Queen (chief of state), Prime Minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral parliament (Folketing). Judicial--appointed Supreme Court.
    Political parties (represented in parliament): Venstre (Liberal), Social Democratic, Konservative, Socialist People's, Social Liberal, Unity List, Danish People's, Christian People's.
    Suffrage: Universal adult (18 years of age).
    Administrative subdivisions: 14 counties and 275 municipalities.

    Denmark Government
    Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Margrethe II has largely ceremonial functions; probably her most significant formal power lies in her right to appoint the prime minister and cabinet ministers, who are responsible for administration of the government. However, she must consult with parliamentary leaders to determine the public's will, since the cabinet may be dismissed by a vote of no confidence in the Folketing (parliament). Cabinet members are occasionally recruited from outside the Folketing.

    The 1953 constitution established a unicameral Folketing of not more than 179 members, of whom two are elected from the Faroe Islands and two from Greenland. Elections are held at least every 4 years, but the prime minister can dissolve the Folketing at any time and call for new elections. Folketing members are elected by a complicated system of proportional representation; any party receiving at least 2% of the total national vote receives representation. The result is a multiplicity of parties (eight represented in the Folketing after the November 2002 general election), none of which holds a majority. Electorate participation normally is above more than 85%.

    The judicial branch consists of about 100 local courts, two high courts, several special courts (e.g., arbitration and maritime), and a Supreme Court of 15 judges appointed by the crown on the government's recommendation.

    Denmark is divided into 14 counties (Amter) and 275 municipalities (Kommuner)--as of January 1, 2003, 13 counties and 271 municipalities. The chief official of the Amt, the county mayor (Amts-borgmester), is elected by the county council from among its members, according to the municipal reform of 1970. The cities of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg function as both counties and municipalities.

    The Faroe Islands and Greenland enjoy home rule, with the Danish Government represented locally by high commissioners. These home rule governments are responsible for most domestic affairs, with foreign relations, monetary affairs, and defense falling to the Danish Government.

    source: http://www.state.gov

  • Denmark People
  • Denmark Geography
  • Denmark Economy
  • Denmark History