Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday presented her new cabinet. For the first time in Danish history, women outnumber men in the government.
Frederiksen said she had formed a new minority coalition after months of talks following inconclusive elections in March, reports AFP.
She said the government includes her Social Democrats, the Socialist People’s Party, the centre-left Radikale Venstre and the centrist Moderates.
On Wednesday, Frederiksen announced the names of the new ministers outside the Danish parliament.
“It is a government with 21 ministers, and for the first time in Denmark’s history there are now more female ministers than male ones,” she said.
The cabinet includes 11 women among the 21 ministers. It also features several familiar figures from her previous government.
Moderates leader Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who emerged as a key power broker after the March 24 election, retained his post as foreign minister.
Commentators noted that Frederiksen appointed party colleague Peter Hummelgaard as finance minister. Nicolai Wammen will take over Hummelgaard’s former role as justice minister.
Both are seen as possible successors to Frederiksen as leader of the Social Democrats.
“With Hummelgaard’s promotion, it becomes clear that he is Mette Frederiksen’s candidate,” said Christine Cordsen, political correspondent for public broadcaster DR.
On Tuesday, Frederiksen presented a policy platform. It promised support for families facing rising prices and maintained a strict immigration stance.
In the March election, the Social Democrats recorded their weakest result since 1903. However, they remained the largest party with 38 seats.
Neither left nor right bloc secured a majority in the March 24 vote, leaving parliament fragmented.
The four parties in the new coalition hold 82 of the 179 seats in parliament. The government will now need support from other parties to pass legislation.
