INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS Political Change in Denmark? Outlook on the Snap Elections in September 2011 MALTHE MIKKEL MUNKØE September 2011 „ „ Denmark is preparing for the snap elections to be held on 15 September 2011. Since 2001, the country has been governed by a centre-right government, which has now defeated the Social Democrat-led opposition in three successive general elections, the other two being in 2005 and 2007. However, polls have consistently put the centre-left ahead throughout 2011. The Social Democrats look poised to take power, leading by 2–4 per cent in the polls. „ „ In 2001, the centre-right forged what proved to be a strong political platform, which combined a tough stance on immigration policy with a less hostile view of the wel­fare state than it had traditionally held. But this»winning formula« no longer looks as likely to obtain victory as it did throughout the previous decade. Instead, the eco­nomic slump following the financial crisis has become the overriding issue on the political agenda. „ „ The 2011 election will mark an important turning point in Danish politics, irrespective of whether the Social Democrats win – as seems likely – or the centre-right manages to stage a come-back and remains in power.