News and comment from Denmark: The Queens Loyal Opposition.

As always, I am taken up with the goings on in the Radikal Venstre. I may be out of line with a good many other people, but I can't but help regard the Radikal Venstre as a good barometer of the political situation in Danish politics. The battle between the old guard, as embodied by Marianne Jelved and the new, under the auspices of Naser Khader is slumbering and sputtering like a forest fire about to erupt.

moif: I'll be frank and explain (for any one who hasn't noticed) that I am hoping to see the political demise of Marianne Jelved!

Last night on DR nyheder I read that Naser Khader has been supported in his low intensity campaign by several prominent members of the party's grass roots. One member in particular, a council member from Frederiksberg: Pernille Høxbro, is quoted on DR as saying; "I support Naser Khader and his statements, 100%. If one makes an ultimatum, as Jelved has done, then it becomes difficult to create results. I don't simply understand her. One gets no where by making ultimate demands in politics, and Marianne knows that full well. It pains me to see how she has backed the party into a corner". Høxbro defines the differences between Khader and Jelved as a battle for the leadership of the party.

Other members of the party, like Peter Thyssen, who is a council member for Århus, is more hesitant in his support, observing that Khader ought to have made his observations to the party first, but offers it nonetheless.

moif: I'm interested to see how this falls out. Its quite possible that if Naser Khader knocks Jelved off her post he might then become party leader in her stead. Not probable, just possible, but if that happens then Denmark, so often criticised for being 'racist' in the recent past by the EU and UN, will not only have the first Arabic leader of a main stream party in Europe, but a popular leader to boot!

If Jelved falls then it will be the end of the old guard in Danish opposition. She is the last remnant of the previous Nyrup government still in power as far as I know. Mogens Lykketoft is still lurking behind the scenes in the Social Democrats but since his pitiful defeat in the last election his influence has waned with passing month.

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The Social Democrats have also seen some movement in the deep waters. A few months ago the party saw a reshuffling in its shadow cabinet as a result of an internal power struggle. I didn't catch all the details but the end result was the former political spokesperson, Lotte Bundsgaard, was dumped by her party leader, and ally, in favour of some one called Henrik Sass Larsen whom I'd never heard of. Apparently, Sass Larsen, despite his age, is well connected to the old guard and I think he may be some sort of anchor to make sure Helle Thorning Schmidt doesn't run off and do something the old timers don't approve of, though I could be wrong. One thing is certain. A recent poll asked politicians who their favourite co members were, outside their own party, in the Folketing, and Henrik Sass Larsen was at the very bottom of the list... Ouch!

So, now Lotte Bundsgaard, who enjoys a deal of popularity I believe, is back in the warmth as integrationsordfører (immigration spokesperson). She is already listed as such on the SD site.

moif: ...and that didn't take long! I'm not really clued into the intricacies of the Social democrats. Despite their open handed rheotoric they are probably the most secretive of the opposition parties and its difficult to know whats going on in the deep water, not least because a lot of the 'has beens' never seem to really let go. I take this as a move by Helle Thorning Schmidt to consolidate her hold on power, but what its going to mean in the long run, I really can't say. It is possible that Thorning Shmidt is finally starting to lay about some stick and come the next election (still three years away) she will be in solid control of her party, surrounded by her own people and ready to take on Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Every prognosis I've seen has put Fogh Rasmussen in the better position though and some people have said Thorning Shmidt would be better served looking towards the next election again, but I'm not so sure thats her game plan. Who wants to wait seven years!?

Thorning Shmidt has made several attacks against the nationalists recently, most probably trying to woo back the voters who migrated there in the last election, but whether or not she can succeed in this against the back drop of international events, the memory of the mo'toons affair and the impact Naser Khaders possible success might have on the nationalist mentality, is any one's guess.