Danish Coalition-Building Talks Start as Premier Gets First Stab

Denmark will start talks to form a ruling coalition with caretaker Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen moving closer to securing a third term in office after winning backing from other party leaders to lead the negotiations.

King Frederik X formally tasked the Social Democratic premier on Wednesday with cabinet-formation talks following meetings with Frederiksen’s peers in Copenhagen. Frederiksen faces a difficult task after pledges of stability helped the ruling party win a closely contested general election but left her short of a clear parliamentary majority with traditional left-leaning allies.