Denmark’s security agencies have cautioned that an external actor could attempt to influence the 24 March parliamentary election, identifying Russia’s opposition to Ukraine as the principal risk while also pointing to the turmoil generated by U.S. moves concerning Greenland.
The PET police intelligence unit and the FE military intelligence service issued a joint communiqué stating that the campaign may be plagued by false information and cyber‑attacks “intended to create division, shape public debate or target candidates, parties or particular policy programmes”.
“The danger of meddling aimed at Denmark stems chiefly from Russia, though other state actors might also be involved,” the agencies said. “The United States’ expressed intention to acquire Greenland has sparked disinformation about the Danish realm, which could foster uncertainty” in the run‑up to the vote.
Furthermore, “the focus the United States places on Denmark has produced fresh international fault lines that foreign powers such as Russia and China could exploit for influence.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the election on Thursday, describing the Russian shadow as one of Denmark’s gravest threats. She also referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls to dominate the Arctic island of Greenland.
Frederiksen was required to call an election by 31 October, and analysts argue she selected 24 March deliberately, as her standing in recent polls has improved after she rejected Trump’s Greenland overtures.
A new poll from TV2 shows 21 % of voters would support the prime minister’s Social Democratic party, placing it first, albeit 6.5 percentage points below its 2022 result.
The Social Democrats fared poorly in last year’s municipal elections, losing almost half of the municipalities they governed, including Copenhagen.
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