Danish center-left coalition presents government program with cost of living relief

The future coalition consists of four parties: the Social Democrats, the Socialist People's Party, the social-liberal Radikale Venstre, and the centrist party Moderaterne led by former Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Together, the four coalition parties hold 82 out of 179 seats in the Folketing, thus forming a planned minority government. The government is to be supported in parliament by the left-wing party Enhedslisten and the environmental party Alternativet.

Relief for groceries, dental care, and public transport

The core of the government program is to relieve citizens of their everyday expenses. The plan is to halve the value-added tax on groceries and abolish it completely for fruits and vegetables. Frederiksen said: "We want to offer targeted support to those Danes who have been hard hit by rising petrol and diesel prices." In addition, free dental visits, more money for the poorest pensioners, and free public transport for young people up to 22 years old are planned.

Frederiksen also announced tax relief for top earners and companies. Furthermore, the abolished public holiday Store Bededag (Great Prayer Day) may be reintroduced under certain conditions – a topic that has been controversially debated in Denmark for years. If the coalition is confirmed, the 48-year-old Frederiksen, who has been head of government since 2019 and has held the office in an acting capacity since the election, could begin a third term.

Continuation of restrictive immigration policy

In immigration policy, the coalition is continuing its previous course. Frederiksen stated that she wants to deport more foreign criminals: "This is absolutely crucial for the cohesion of our society, and therefore we want to deport more foreign criminals." She also announced a series of further tightening measures: "There will be a series of tightening measures – we agree on that." Frederiksen pointed to a broad majority in parliament and among the Danish population for this course.

At the same time, the government is to continue working on the establishment of deportation centers outside the EU where asylum seekers can be accommodated. Even before the election, the Social Democrats had cooperated with the Liberal Party and the Moderaterne party; the current alliance is clearly center-left oriented. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, whose Moderaterne party is now part of the new government, is expected to be presented as part of the cabinet on Wednesday.

Outlook on parliamentary work

Frederiksen emphasized that the center-left coalition wants to noticeably improve the daily lives of Danes. Given the narrow parliamentary base, the government will likely rely on the support of the two supporting parties, Enhedslisten and Alternativet. The program was presented on Tuesday at a joint press conference by Frederiksen and the other party leaders in Copenhagen; Deutschlandfunk reported on it on June 2, 2026.

Overall, a coalition is emerging that, in terms of economic policy, focuses on relief for private households and tax incentives for companies, but in migration policy, continues the tough course of the previous government. Whether the program can be implemented in the announced form will become clear once the cabinet is officially presented on Wednesday and parliamentary work begins.