Representative democracy
Denmark is a representative democracy. The most important decisions are made by politicians democratically elected to the Danish Parliament, regional councils and municipal councils.
In Denmark, legislative, executive and judicial power are wholly independent of each other. Folketinget, the Danish National Parliament, passes the laws of the land. The government enforces these laws aided by the state administration. The courts - i.e. the district courts, high courts and the supreme court - pass judgement and determine sentences. Read more.
Democracy was introduced in 1849
Danish democracy is based on the Danish constitution of 1849. The constitution has been amended throughout the years, in 1915, for example, when women were granted the right to vote. The current constitution dates from 1953, but many of its principles remain unchanged from the original.
Constitutional rights
The Danish constitution contains the fundamental rules relating to how the state is to be governed and ensures the country's citizens a number of basic rights and liberties. The Danish constitution guarantees the right of private ownership, the freedom to practise all religions, the right to form associations, the right to demonstrate, and freedom of expression whether it be in written, oral, or any other form.
In Denmark, freedom of speech means a person is free to publish what they feel and think. With due regard, however, to the courts and legislation in general. You can be prosecuted for offending a person's honour or for addressing others in a threatening or degrading manner, for example, on account of their beliefs or ethnic origin.
The royal family
The world's oldest monarchy
The Danish monarchy is the oldest in the world. For more than 1,000 years there have been kings, queens, princes and princesses in Denmark. The royal family wields no political power but takes part in public life in various ways and represents Denmark abroad.
Municipal Authorities and Regions
Close to citizens
Denmark is divided into 98 municipal authorities, each with its own democratically elected municipal council and mayor. Municipal council elections are held every four years. The municipal authorities perform a number of tasks in the local areas within the guidelines established by Parliament.
For example, it is the job of municipal authorities to provide day-care centres, schools, care for the elderly, build roads and ensure a suitable framework for cultural activities in the local areas. The municipal authorities also help foreign nationals settling in Denmark to embark on their new life here - in part by offering Danish language lessons and providing information about Danish society.
Regions
Denmark is divided into five regions. Each region is governed by democratically elected regional councils that are elected every four years. The regions are responsible for hospitals, collective traffic and regional development planning.
The Integration Council
Municipal authorities can establish integration councils. The job of these councils is to advise municipal authorities about ways in which new citizens and ethnic minorities can actively participate in the local community. Your municipal authority can tell you whether it has an integration council. You can also encourage your municipal authority to set up an integration council.
The local integration councils elect representatives to the nationwide council for ethnic minorities, which advises the government. Find out more by logging onto www.rem.dk
Source: Citizen in Denmark.
Opdated January 9th, 2009.
