In the new left-right administration formed by Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen following a general election last month, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister of Denmark, was chosen foreign minister on Thursday. After leaving the right-wing Liberal party to create his own center-right party, the Moderates, Rasmussen, who was prime minister from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2019, took office.

Together with the Liberals, a fourth party, his Moderates are members of Frederiksen's new coalition administration.

The last effort, in 1978–1979, lasted only 14 months, making the alliance between the right-wing Liberals and the left-wing Social Democrats rare in Denmark.

In the end, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the head of the liberal party, decided to form a government with Frederiksen "in Denmark's best interest" after running an anti-Frederiksen campaign in an effort to secure a right-wing majority.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/zombie-flies-discovered-by-scientists-in-denmark-350075">'Zombie flies' discovered by scientists in Denmark</a>

He is appointed defence minister and deputy prime minister.

The second term of Frederiksen as prime minister appears to be significantly different from her first, which spanned from 2019 to 2022. During that time, she presided over a minority Social Democratic government that was dependent on the backing of her longtime left-wing friends.

Even though the left-wing bloc won the election in November with an overwhelming majority, Frederiksen decided to establish a left-right coalition.

She said that the conflict in Ukraine and the economic situation in the world today justified the action, but persuading the Liberals to join forces with her is also certain to cause a rift on the right wing.

Although it had been receptive to the idea, Frederiksen was unable to persuade the center-left Social Liberal party to join the administration. 11 Social Democrats, eight&nbsp;Liberals, and five Moderates make up the new government, which is composed of 15 males and eight&nbsp;women. Nicolai Wammen, a Social Democrat, will continue to be in charge of the finance ministry.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In the new left-right administration formed by Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen following a general election last month, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister of Denmark, was chosen foreign minister on Thursday.

In the new left-right administration formed by Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen following a general election last month, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, a former prime minister of Denmark, was chosen foreign minister on Thursday. After leaving the right-wing Liberal party to create his own center-right party, the Moderates, Rasmussen, who was prime minister from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2019, took office. Together with the Liberals, a fourth party, his Moderates are members of Frederiksen's new coalition administration. The last effort, in 1978–1979, lasted only 14 months, making the alliance between the right-wing Liberals and the left-wing Social Democrats rare in Denmark. In the end, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the head of the liberal party, decided to form a government with Frederiksen "in Denmark's best interest" after running an anti-Frederiksen campaign in an effort to secure a right-wing majority. Also read | 'Zombie flies' discovered by scientists in Denmark He is appointed defence minister and deputy prime minister. The second term of Frederiksen as prime minister appears to be significantly different from her first, which spanned from 2019 to 2022. During that time, she presided over a minority Social Democratic government that was dependent on the backing of her longtime left-wing friends. Even though the left-wing bloc won the election in November with an overwhelming majority, Frederiksen decided to establish a left-right coalition. She said that the conflict in Ukraine and the economic situation in the world today justified the action, but persuading the Liberals to join forces with her is also certain to cause a rift on the right wing. Although it had been receptive to the idea, Frederiksen was unable to persuade the center-left Social Liberal party to join the administration. 11 Social Democrats, eight Liberals, and five Moderates make up the new government, which is composed of 15 males and eight women. Nicolai Wammen, a Social Democrat, will continue to be in charge of the finance ministry. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Denmark's former PM Rasmussen appointed as new foreign minister

Danes began voting on Wednesday in a parliamentary election that could deliver the Nordic region`s third leftist government in a year as people rebel against austerity measures they fear could dismantle their cherished welfare model.

Pledges by Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen, heading the opposition centre-left bloc, to boost welfare spending after years of cuts and stick to a tougher stance on immigration have gone down well with many Danes.

Polls indicated Frederiksen, 41, will win the election and replace current Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen of the Liberal Party. Support for Frederiksen`s party alliance stood at 54.7 per cent&nbsp;shortly before voting began, according to an average of polls published by Berlingske Barometer.

Josefine Kaspersen, 21, was the first person to cast her vote at the City Hall in Copenhagen on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"The welfare system needs better leadership. They only talk about the need for more money, but what we really need is better leaders," said the environmental studies student, who cast her vote for a left-wing party.

The Nordic model has been the gold standard for welfare for many left-leaning politicians globally. But ageing populations have prompted governments to chip away at the cradle-to-grave welfare state.&nbsp;

Economic reforms since the early 2000s, encouraging people to work longer in part by raising the retirement age and cutting unemployment benefits, have generated economic growth above the European Union average and established sound public finances.

But spending cuts by successive governments have led to more people paying out of their own pockets for what used to be free.

Now many Danes, who like counterparts in other Nordic states pay some of the highest taxes in the world to underpin their welfare system, are saying enough is enough. They worry that further austerity will erode the universal health care, education and elderly services long seen as a given.

"It`s obvious we need to start spending again," Frederiksen told Reuters in an interview last week while campaigning.

Rasmussen, 55, who has been premier since 2015 and also served from 2009-2011, may hope for a repeat of the outcome in last week`s European Parliament elections.

Liberals top in EU election, not at home&nbsp;

Contrary to opinion polls, the Liberals overtook both the Social Democrats and the anti-immigration Danish People`s Party (DF) to become the biggest Danish group in the EU assembly.

The staunchly pro-Europe Liberals benefited from record-high support for the EU in Denmark, but that recipe for success is unlikely to work in Wednesday`s national vote.

In Finland, the Social Democrats won the April election, their first victory in 20 years, after campaigning on a platform of tax hikes to meet welfare costs.

In neighbouring Sweden last year, the Social Democrats managed to cling to power after embracing policies more typical of the right, including tax cuts and labour market reforms.

Frederiksen has taken a harder line on immigration to lure back some voters from nationalist parties like DF.&nbsp;

Frederiksen`s party backed tougher legislation on refugees and immigrants passed by Rasmussen`s centre-right minority government, which relied on DF support.

This included a ban on wearing the body-covering Islamic burqa and niqab face veil in public, as well as a so-called "jewellery bill" that allows police to seize refugees` valuables to help pay their costs.

Both the Social Democrats and Liberals said the stricter policy on immigration would help protect the welfare system.

Pensioner Bente Christiansen, who also voted at the Copenhagen City Hall on Wednesday morning, said: "We must respect everyone in Denmark, but make sure not to give up on our own Danish values."

Eyes will also be on Stram Kurs (Hard Line), a new far-right party that among other things wants Islam banned and hundreds of thousands of Muslims deported. Polls have suggested Stram Kurs could garner enough votes to win seats in parliament.

Polling stations close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), followed immediately by two exit polls.&nbsp;

Public broadcasters DR and TV2 will give initial estimates of the results later in the evening, with a reliable, preliminary outcome due to be announced around 11 p.m.

&nbsp;

Danes began voting on Wednesday in a parliamentary election that could deliver the Nordic region`s third leftist government in a year as people rebel against austerity measures they fear could dismantle their cherished welfare model.

Danes began voting on Wednesday in a parliamentary election that could deliver the Nordic region`s third leftist government in a year as people rebel against austerity measures they fear could dismantle their cherished welfare model. Pledges by Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen, heading the opposition centre-left bloc, to boost welfare spending after years of cuts and stick to a tougher stance on immigration have gone down well with many Danes. Polls indicated Frederiksen, 41, will win the election and replace current Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen of the Liberal Party. Support for Frederiksen`s party alliance stood at 54.7 per cent shortly before voting began, according to an average of polls published by Berlingske Barometer. Josefine Kaspersen, 21, was the first person to cast her vote at the City Hall in Copenhagen on Wednesday. "The welfare system needs better leadership. They only talk about the need for more money, but what we really need is better leaders," said the environmental studies student, who cast her vote for a left-wing party. The Nordic model has been the gold standard for welfare for many left-leaning politicians globally. But ageing populations have prompted governments to chip away at the cradle-to-grave welfare state. Economic reforms since the early 2000s, encouraging people to work longer in part by raising the retirement age and cutting unemployment benefits, have generated economic growth above the European Union average and established sound public finances. But spending cuts by successive governments have led to more people paying out of their own pockets for what used to be free. Now many Danes, who like counterparts in other Nordic states pay some of the highest taxes in the world to underpin their welfare system, are saying enough is enough. They worry that further austerity will erode the universal health care, education and elderly services long seen as a given. "It`s obvious we need to start spending again," Frederiksen told Reuters in an interview last week while campaigning. Rasmussen, 55, who has been premier since 2015 and also served from 2009-2011, may hope for a repeat of the outcome in last week`s European Parliament elections. Liberals top in EU election, not at home Contrary to opinion polls, the Liberals overtook both the Social Democrats and the anti-immigration Danish People`s Party (DF) to become the biggest Danish group in the EU assembly. The staunchly pro-Europe Liberals benefited from record-high support for the EU in Denmark, but that recipe for success is unlikely to work in Wednesday`s national vote. In Finland, the Social Democrats won the April election, their first victory in 20 years, after campaigning on a platform of tax hikes to meet welfare costs. In neighbouring Sweden last year, the Social Democrats managed to cling to power after embracing policies more typical of the right, including tax cuts and labour market reforms. Frederiksen has taken a harder line on immigration to lure back some voters from nationalist parties like DF. Frederiksen`s party backed tougher legislation on refugees and immigrants passed by Rasmussen`s centre-right minority government, which relied on DF support. This included a ban on wearing the body-covering Islamic burqa and niqab face veil in public, as well as a so-called "jewellery bill" that allows police to seize refugees` valuables to help pay their costs. Both the Social Democrats and Liberals said the stricter policy on immigration would help protect the welfare system. Pensioner Bente Christiansen, who also voted at the Copenhagen City Hall on Wednesday morning, said: "We must respect everyone in Denmark, but make sure not to give up on our own Danish values." Eyes will also be on Stram Kurs (Hard Line), a new far-right party that among other things wants Islam banned and hundreds of thousands of Muslims deported. Polls have suggested Stram Kurs could garner enough votes to win seats in parliament. Polling stations close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), followed immediately by two exit polls. Public broadcasters DR and TV2 will give initial estimates of the results later in the evening, with a reliable, preliminary outcome due to be announced around 11 p.m.

Centre-left looks set to win Denmark election on welfare pledges

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