European Contexts Seminar Series
With
Rune Stubager, political scientist and professor at Aarhus University,
an expert on voter behaviour, and Michael Jarlner, journalist and
foreign affairs commentator at Politiken newspaper.
When: Thursday, 19 March 2026, 9:00–10:00 CET
Where: Online
Registration Form
Speakers
Rune
Stubager is an award-winning professor at the Department of Political
Science at Aarhus University. His research focuses on electoral
behaviour, public opinion, and political sociology in Denmark.
Michael Jarlner is a journalist and foreign affairs commentator at Politiken.
Background
On 26 February 2026, Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, called early elections to be held on 24 March 2026. As the popularity of her party began to decline, Frederiksen used her suddenly improved ratings—triggered by the Greenland crisis—to call a snap election. The Prime Minister underlined that Greenland was not for sale, despite requests from President Trump.
Analysts suggest that Greenland does not appear to be a key concern for voters, nor is the significantly increased defence spending. Voters are more focused on the deportation of migrants, pensions, and the economic situation. Denmark has maintained one of the strictest migration policies in Europe for the past 25 years.
There appears to be a consensus regarding Denmark’s active foreign and defence policies. Strong support for Ukraine and the stand-off over Greenland have prompted a significant increase in military spending, bringing Denmark to the forefront of Europe’s defence heavyweights.
Frederiksen leads a coalition government. Her Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen of the Moderates, played a prominent role in negotiations with the United States over Greenland, while Defence Minister Troels Poulsen, the leader of Venstre, has overseen the increase in military spending. The Greenland issue remains unresolved, and the war in Ukraine continues.
All
179 seats in the Danish parliament (Folketing) will be contested: 175
in Denmark proper, two in Greenland, and two in the Faroe Islands.
Will elections bring any policy changes?
Format
Brief presentations followed by a live Q&A
Concept and Moderation
Mirjana Tomic, fjum/Presseclub Concordia
Target Groups
Media representatives and academic researchers.
Maximum: 100 participants.