Helle Thorning-Schmidt to be Danish PM

16 September 2011 06:28 am Views - 3522

Denmark's centre-left has won the country's general election, ending nearly a decade in opposition. With all votes counted, the bloc led by Social Democrat leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt had won a narrow majority in parliament.

She is set to become Denmark's first woman prime minister. Incumbent Lars Lokke Rasmussen has admitted defeat.

Ms. Thorning-Schmidt had campaigned on a platform of tax rises and increased public spending.

She also promised to roll back tough immigration laws proposed by a junior partner of the current coalition.

The centre-left bloc won 89 seats in Denmark's 179-seat parliament against 86 for the centre-right. Turnout was high at 87.7%.
"We did it... today we've written history," Ms. Thorning-Schmidt told jubilant supporters.

Mr. Rasmussen said he had called Ms. Thorning-Schmidt to congratulate her, but added, "Tonight I hand over the keys to the prime minister's office to Helle Thorning-Schmidt. And dear Helle, take good care of them. You're only borrowing them."

The "Blue Bloc" led by Mr. Rasmussen has held power in Denmark for a decade.

The country has seen its worst economic downturn since World War II. Although Denmark is a member of the EU, it has chosen not to adopt the euro. (BBC)