Three left-wing parties in Denmark — Alternativet, the Socialist People’s Party (SF) and the Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) — have announced the formation of an electoral alliance ahead of the autumn municipal elections in Copenhagen. The Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet), currently the largest party in the city, have been excluded from the pact.
A strategic move to avoid vote fragmentation
The main objective of the electoral alliance is to prevent vote wastage under the Danish proportional representation system. By pooling their surplus votes, allied parties can improve their chances of securing additional seats in the municipal council. According to a joint statement, the three parties aim to collaborate even more closely than they do today.
Focus on housing and green urban areas
In the alliance press release, the parties outline a common agenda focused on affordable housing and the development of green urban districts. These issues have become increasingly urgent in Copenhagen, where rising housing costs and limited access to sustainable living spaces are pressing concerns.
Line Barfod, lead candidate for Enhedslisten and current Mayor of Technical and Environmental Affairs (teknik- og miljøborgmester), explicitly criticised the housing policy under the Social Democrats, stating: “Under the leadership of the Social Democrats, the housing market is breaking apart, and there is a need for our parties to correct years of failed policies.”
A break with the Social Democrats
The move marks a political rupture with the Social Democrats, who have traditionally been part of the broader left-wing bloc. While the Social Democrats are not formally excluded from forming future coalitions, their absence from the new alliance signals a growing divide on key issues, particularly urban development and housing policy.
The Copenhagen municipal elections are scheduled for autumn 2025, and this early alignment sets the tone for a competitive campaign season in the Danish capital.
