Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigned on Wednesday after meeting with King Frederik to set the government formation process in motion after Social Democrats won the most votes in Tuesday’s Danish general election but slumped to their weakest performance since 1903. PM Frederiksen’s coalition bloc failed to secure a majority.&nbsp;Frederiksen's party got 21.9% of the vote and has by far the most seats, but her left-wing grouping fell well short of the 90 seats needed for a majority.The Social Democrats have been in power since 2019, and Frederiksen told cheering supporters she was “sorry that we did not get more votes."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-will-not-allow-trump-to-dictate-timeline-iran-rejects-us-ceasefire-plan-presents-counterproposal-1774453523235">Will not allow Trump to dictate timeline’: Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, presents counterproposal</a>&nbsp;Frederiksen, 48, went to the Danish Royal Palace and handed her resignation to King Frederik during the meeting. Her resignation is customary, as it sets in motion the new government formation process, as the outgoing three-party government does not have the majority to continue in office. The coalition’s 70 seats are well short of the 90 required for a majority.Frederiksen will remain in post as a caretaker until a new administration is formed and is still among the favourites for the top job.&nbsp;In a message of defiance after the results, Frederiksen said, “There is nothing today that can make me sad that the Social Democrats have once again become the Danes’ absolute favourite political party.”“I have been responsible for this wonderful country for almost 7 years,” Frederiksen continued. “I am still ready to take on responsibility as Denmark’s prime minister.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pakistan-offers-peace-can-it-really-end-the-us-iran-israel-war-1774450376322">Pakistan offers peace: Can it really end the US–Iran–Israel War?</a>&nbsp;The Social Democrats’ main right-wing rival, the Liberal party Venstre, also put up its worst showing for a century, with just 10.1% of the votes, falling behind the Green Left SF.&nbsp;Frederiksen still has a chance to stay in power for a third term, but tough negotiations could take days or weeks.Twelve political parties were on the ballot paper.Claiming a total of 84 seats, the “red bloc” of left-wing parties has clinched a small lead over the “blue bloc” on the right, which has 77 seats combined.&nbsp;Both blocs have fallen short of the 90 seats that are needed for a majority in Denmark’s 179-seat parliament.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bjp-leader-mocks-pakistan-s-peace-broker-claims-after-iran-turns-back-karachi-bound-vessel-1774441066094">BJP leader mocks Pakistan’s ‘peace broker’ claims after Iran turns back Karachi-bound vessel</a>&nbsp;The Moderates, led by former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, have 14 seats, and he can be the kingmaker.Frederiksen called the vote months earlier than expected, gambling that her boosted poll numbers over her handling of US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Greenland would help hand her a third term.However, domestic issues dominated the campaign trail instead of geopolitical concerns.&nbsp;“His Majesty the King has then received the acting prime minister and, based on the parties’ statements, has concluded that the parties representing the largest number of seats in the Folketing have recommended that acting prime minister Mette Frederiksen be appointed to lead negotiations on the formation of a government,” said the Royal Palace.&nbsp;Rasmussen’s party secured 14 seats in Tuesday’s elections, significantly fewer than his former coalition partners, but by refusing to take part in old-fashioned “bloc” politics, he has effectively become kingmaker.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the vote months earlier than expected, gambling that her boosted poll numbers over her handling of US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Greenland would help hand her a third term. However, domestic issues dominated the campaign.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigned on Wednesday after meeting with King Frederik to set the government formation process in motion after Social Democrats won the most votes in Tuesday’s Danish general election but slumped to their weakest performance since 1903. PM Frederiksen’s coalition bloc failed to secure a majority. Frederiksen's party got 21.9% of the vote and has by far the most seats, but her left-wing grouping fell well short of the 90 seats needed for a majority. The Social Democrats have been in power since 2019, and Frederiksen told cheering supporters she was “sorry that we did not get more votes." Also Read: Will not allow Trump to dictate timeline’: Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, presents counterproposal Frederiksen, 48, went to the Danish Royal Palace and handed her resignation to King Frederik during the meeting. Her resignation is customary, as it sets in motion the new government formation process, as the outgoing three-party government does not have the majority to continue in office. The coalition’s 70 seats are well short of the 90 required for a majority. Frederiksen will remain in post as a caretaker until a new administration is formed and is still among the favourites for the top job. In a message of defiance after the results, Frederiksen said, “There is nothing today that can make me sad that the Social Democrats have once again become the Danes’ absolute favourite political party.” “I have been responsible for this wonderful country for almost 7 years,” Frederiksen continued. “I am still ready to take on responsibility as Denmark’s prime minister.” Also Read: Pakistan offers peace: Can it really end the US–Iran–Israel War? The Social Democrats’ main right-wing rival, the Liberal party Venstre, also put up its worst showing for a century, with just 10.1% of the votes, falling behind the Green Left SF. Frederiksen still has a chance to stay in power for a third term, but tough negotiations could take days or weeks. Twelve political parties were on the ballot paper. Claiming a total of 84 seats, the “red bloc” of left-wing parties has clinched a small lead over the “blue bloc” on the right, which has 77 seats combined. Both blocs have fallen short of the 90 seats that are needed for a majority in Denmark’s 179-seat parliament. Also Read: BJP leader mocks Pakistan’s ‘peace broker’ claims after Iran turns back Karachi-bound vessel The Moderates, led by former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, have 14 seats, and he can be the kingmaker. Frederiksen called the vote months earlier than expected, gambling that her boosted poll numbers over her handling of US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Greenland would help hand her a third term. However, domestic issues dominated the campaign trail instead of geopolitical concerns. “His Majesty the King has then received the acting prime minister and, based on the parties’ statements, has concluded that the parties representing the largest number of seats in the Folketing have recommended that acting prime minister Mette Frederiksen be appointed to lead negotiations on the formation of a government,” said the Royal Palace. Rasmussen’s party secured 14 seats in Tuesday’s elections, significantly fewer than his former coalition partners, but by refusing to take part in old-fashioned “bloc” politics, he has effectively become kingmaker.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the vote months earlier than expected, gambling that her boosted poll numbers over her handling of US President Donald Trump’s threat to annex Greenland would help hand her a third term. However, domestic issues dominated the campaign.

Danish PM Frederiksen resigns after failing to secure majority, may become PM again

A reconnaissance team of Bundeswehr, the German Armed forces, departed from Greenland over the weekend after their reconnaissance mission was cancelled, the newspaper BILD claimed. The report came amid US President Donald Trump’s continuous public threats to Greenland, hinting at invading the territory due to its ‘national security’ importance and threat posed by Russia.&nbsp;<h2>NATO wobbling on Greenland defence</h2>Some NATO nations are being mocked for having sent only small contingents, sometimes just one or two soldiers, to support Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which is covered under NATO defence obligations of ‘one for all, all for one’. The situation is panning out to be a case of ‘ally versus ally’ within the Western defence bloc, of which the US is a prominent member.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-now-it-is-time-trump-s-fresh-warning-to-denmark-greenland-over-russian-threat-1768800160244">‘Now it is time…’: Trump’s fresh warning to Denmark, Greenland over ‘Russian threat’</a><h2>German federal defence's reconnaissance team leaves Greenland</h2>The 15 soldiers from Bundeswehr's Army, Air Force and Navy had arrived in Greenland on Friday as part of a reconnaissance mission by NATO states at Denmark’s invitation. The aim was to conduct an exercise and to explore possible future training and stationing options. The deployment was launched after the collapse of a planned meeting of top foreign officials of the US, Denmark and Greenlandin Washington.The BILD report claimed that the Bundeswehr reconnaissance team departed Greenland after just two days there. It said the soldiers, led by Rear Admiral Stefan Pauly, Inspector of the German Navy, left on Sunday afternoon (Jan18), shortly before departure at Nuuk Airport.&nbsp;The order to pull out was reportedly sent from Berlin early that morning. The departure aircraft had to be de-iced before take-off, causing a delay.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-star-wars-why-a-us-takeover-of-greenland-saves-europe-from-china-1768771288821">'Star Wars': Why a US takeover of Greenland saves Europe from China</a>&nbsp;Earlier, the German Defence Ministry said that a flight had originally been planned to the Danish military base at Kangilinnguit, where reconnaissance activities were scheduled. These plans were affected by poor weather conditions and were subsequently changed, leading to the decision to depart Greenland, as per the report.On Friday, a Defence Ministry spokesperson, Michael Stempfle, said he did not want to go into detail about the departure date.The soldiers had landed in Greenland a day later than originally planned. They were initially scheduled to fly directly to Greenland aboard a Bundeswehr Airbus A400M between 15 and 17 January. Instead, they travelled via Denmark and only reached Greenland on 16 January using a Danish aircraft, the report said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-us-lawmakers-now-call-greenland-a-national-security-asset-1768769129607">Why US lawmakers now call Greenland a national security asset</a><h2>Is Berlin reacting to Trump’s tariff and takeover rhetoric?</h2>On Saturday, Rear Admiral Pauly said that discussions had been held with Danish forces and other allies about possibilities for further cooperation on the island, including the option of a larger joint military exercise. He said they were awaiting approval from Berlin on what activities would be authorised. Within only a few hours of those remarks, Bundeswehr personnel were already at the airport with all their equipment, preparing to depart. Coincidentally, Trump warned of tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on countries defending Greenland, which appears to have created a change of heart in some European defence headquarters.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-future-in-nato-under-scanner-as-greenland-crisis-fuels-divisions-within-1768746988178/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-future-in-nato-under-scanner-as-greenland-crisis-fuels-divisions-within-1768746988178/embed</a><h2>Why is Greenland pitting NATO allies US against Europe?</h2>Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a NATO member state. Greenland’s defence falls under NATO’s collective defence framework. Greenland’s government has repeatedly rejected any notion of a US takeover, insisting that Greenlanders would decide its future.Trump reiterated his view that Greenland is of major strategic importance to the US, citing Arctic security, Russian military positioning and rising Chinese influence in the region.&nbsp;<h2>Small troop size in Greenland exercises raise criticism</h2>Over the past few days, several NATO countries, including Germany, the UK and France, &nbsp;participated in Arctic and Greenland-related exercises under Danish leadership. But they often deployed very small units focused on reconnaissance, logistics and cooperation rather than permanent stationing. Reports of some of these nations sending only one or two soldiers each caused widespread mockery.Germany’s defence ministry, meanwhile, insisted that the departure of its reconnaissance team from Greenland was carried out according to revised operational planning, and bad weather. It maintained that the exit does not signal a withdrawal from NATO’s broader commitment to Arctic security.

German Bundeswehr troops on a NATO recon mission reportedly left Greenland abruptly. Bad weather is being blamed, but could it be because Trump is raising invasion rhetoric and slapping tariffs on European nations backing the territory? 

A reconnaissance team of Bundeswehr, the German Armed forces, departed from Greenland over the weekend after their reconnaissance mission was cancelled, the newspaper BILD claimed. The report came amid US President Donald Trump’s continuous public threats to Greenland, hinting at invading the territory due to its ‘national security’ importance and threat posed by Russia. NATO wobbling on Greenland defence Some NATO nations are being mocked for having sent only small contingents, sometimes just one or two soldiers, to support Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which is covered under NATO defence obligations of ‘one for all, all for one’. The situation is panning out to be a case of ‘ally versus ally’ within the Western defence bloc, of which the US is a prominent member. Also read: ‘Now it is time…’: Trump’s fresh warning to Denmark, Greenland over ‘Russian threat’ German federal defence's reconnaissance team leaves Greenland The 15 soldiers from Bundeswehr's Army, Air Force and Navy had arrived in Greenland on Friday as part of a reconnaissance mission by NATO states at Denmark’s invitation. The aim was to conduct an exercise and to explore possible future training and stationing options. The deployment was launched after the collapse of a planned meeting of top foreign officials of the US, Denmark and Greenlandin Washington. The BILD report claimed that the Bundeswehr reconnaissance team departed Greenland after just two days there. It said the soldiers, led by Rear Admiral Stefan Pauly, Inspector of the German Navy, left on Sunday afternoon (Jan18), shortly before departure at Nuuk Airport. The order to pull out was reportedly sent from Berlin early that morning. The departure aircraft had to be de-iced before take-off, causing a delay. Also read: 'Star Wars': Why a US takeover of Greenland saves Europe from China Earlier, the German Defence Ministry said that a flight had originally been planned to the Danish military base at Kangilinnguit, where reconnaissance activities were scheduled. These plans were affected by poor weather conditions and were subsequently changed, leading to the decision to depart Greenland, as per the report. On Friday, a Defence Ministry spokesperson, Michael Stempfle, said he did not want to go into detail about the departure date. The soldiers had landed in Greenland a day later than originally planned. They were initially scheduled to fly directly to Greenland aboard a Bundeswehr Airbus A400M between 15 and 17 January. Instead, they travelled via Denmark and only reached Greenland on 16 January using a Danish aircraft, the report said. Also read: Why US lawmakers now call Greenland a national security asset Is Berlin reacting to Trump’s tariff and takeover rhetoric? On Saturday, Rear Admiral Pauly said that discussions had been held with Danish forces and other allies about possibilities for further cooperation on the island, including the option of a larger joint military exercise. He said they were awaiting approval from Berlin on what activities would be authorised. Within only a few hours of those remarks, Bundeswehr personnel were already at the airport with all their equipment, preparing to depart. Coincidentally, Trump warned of tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on countries defending Greenland, which appears to have created a change of heart in some European defence headquarters. https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-future-in-nato-under-scanner-as-greenland-crisis-fuels-divisions-within-1768746988178/embed Why is Greenland pitting NATO allies US against Europe? Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is a NATO member state. Greenland’s defence falls under NATO’s collective defence framework. Greenland’s government has repeatedly rejected any notion of a US takeover, insisting that Greenlanders would decide its future. Trump reiterated his view that Greenland is of major strategic importance to the US, citing Arctic security, Russian military positioning and rising Chinese influence in the region. Small troop size in Greenland exercises raise criticism Over the past few days, several NATO countries, including Germany, the UK and France, participated in Arctic and Greenland-related exercises under Danish leadership. But they often deployed very small units focused on reconnaissance, logistics and cooperation rather than permanent stationing. Reports of some of these nations sending only one or two soldiers each caused widespread mockery. Germany’s defence ministry, meanwhile, insisted that the departure of its reconnaissance team from Greenland was carried out according to revised operational planning, and bad weather. It maintained that the exit does not signal a withdrawal from NATO’s broader commitment to Arctic security.

German Bundeswehr troops on a NATO recon mission reportedly left Greenland abruptly. Bad weather is being blamed, but could it be because Trump is raising invasion rhetoric and slapping tariffs on European nations backing the territory?&nbsp;

So much for Greenland defence by NATO: German soldiers quietly exit territory amid Trump invasion talk, claims report

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Jan 19) once again threatened a possible annexation of Greenland, accusing Denmark of being “unable to do anything” about the “Russian threat”. He also claimed that NATO had warned Copenhagen about the same for 20 years. This comes amid the escalating tensions over the Arctic territory that Trump has been eyeing since he came into office in January last year.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote late Sunday, “NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!”

Earlier on Saturday (Jan 17), tension between the Trump administration and NATO allies flared after Trump announced imposing a 10 per cent tariff on Greenland’s allies, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. Trump also warned that the tariffs, which will be levied from February 1, will be increased to 25 per cent on June 1.“This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social. “These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable. Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation ends quickly, and without question.”While Denmark called the move a “surprise”, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Trump’s imposition of tariffs over Greenland was “completely wrong”. French President Emmanuel Macron said that “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context,” while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told AFP that “We won’t let ourselves be intimidated.” In a statement, European Union leaders said the bloc “stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.”Meanwhile, thousands of people took to the streets of Greenland’s Nuuk and Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, on Saturday (Jan 17) to protest against US President Donald Trump’s threats on Greenland. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was also seen participating in the protest as he waved the country’s flag and sang traditional Inuit songs under light rain along with the demonstrators.

US President Donald Trump renewed threats to annex Greenland, accusing Denmark of failing to counter a Russian threat despite NATO warnings for 20 years. His remarks come amid rising tensions over the strategic Arctic territory.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Jan 19) once again threatened a possible annexation of Greenland, accusing Denmark of being “unable to do anything” about the “Russian threat”. He also claimed that NATO had warned Copenhagen about the same for 20 years. This comes amid the escalating tensions over the Arctic territory that Trump has been eyeing since he came into office in January last year. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote late Sunday, “NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!”

US President Donald Trump renewed threats to annexe Greenland, accusing Denmark of failing to counter a Russian threat despite NATO warnings for 20 years. His remarks come amid rising tensions over the strategic Arctic territory.

‘Now it is time…’: Trump’s fresh warning to Denmark, Greenland over ‘Russian threat’

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Danish PM Frederiksen resigns after failing to secure majority, may become PM again

Will NATO really defend Greenland? German soldiers exit amid Trump invasion talk

‘Now it is time…’: Trump warns Denmark, Greenland over ‘Russian threat’