Danish left-wing bloc keeps majority in parliament

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Denmark's left-wing coalition, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, reached out to the center for a broader alliance after obtaining a one-seat majority in the national elections.

When vote counting continued into Tuesday evening, Frederiksen's five-party "red" bloc appeared to be losing its majority, but as the final votes were counted, the bloc snatched the 87 seats it required in mainland Denmark.

Opinion surveys expected a historically dismal election for the Social Democrats, but they gained two seats over the previous election, gaining 27.5% of the vote.

In a speech to campaign supporters, Frederiksen said, "Social democracy had its best election in over 20 years." 

"We are a party for all of Denmark," she added.

It is worth noting that the right-wing "blue" coalition won 72 seats in mainland Denmark and one in the Faroe Islands, thanks to an informal liberal and conservative alliance supported by three populist parties.

Former Migration Minister Inger Stojberg returned to politics after being removed from parliament following a criminal conviction for a decision she made as a member of Lokke Rasmussen's government.

Stojberg was found guilty of failing to carry out her ministerial duties and violating human rights when she ordered the separation of asylum-seeking couples if the woman was under the age of 18, claiming it was to combat forced marriages.

But, after finishing her two-month house detention with an electronic bracelet, she created the Denmark Democrats, who won over 8% of the vote on a platform of less centralization, less European influence, and fewer immigrants.

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