The nationalist Danish People’s Party has been a key player in Denmark’s political landscape ever since it was founded in 1995. They gained popularity by appealing to many of the traditional voters (working class and unemployed as well as the elderly) of the centre-left focusing their agenda on immigration, tougher border controls and curb the benefits of EU citizens living in the country. Over the years they have even managed to gain the support of traditional liberal voters and even some immigrants. Its leader, Kristian Thulesen Dahl, has called for cuts to immigration from Muslim countries and a referendum on Denmark’s membership of the European Union.
In the 2015 General Election they won 21% of the vote, becoming the second largest party in the country. Rather than staying in opposition, the party is providing parliamentary support to the plurality of centre-right parties. The next General Election in Denmark will be held in 2019 and with the DPP currently polling at 17,5% we can expect them to stay at the centre of Danish politics.
