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Copenhagen Ends Social Democrats’ Century of Control as Left‑Green Parties Take City Hall

The result signals urban backlash over the party’s rightward turn on immigration.

Overview

  • Official results show the Red–Green Alliance at 22.1% and the Socialist People’s Party at 17.9%, with the Social Democrats falling to 12.7% from about 17% in 2021.
  • Sisse Marie Welling of the Socialist People’s Party will become mayor as left parties move to form the new city administration without the Social Democrats.
  • Social Democratic candidate Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil conceded defeat, calling the outcome a disappointment in remarks reported by public broadcaster DR.
  • The setback extends beyond the capital, with the party losing ground in 87 of the 98 municipalities that voted in these local elections.
  • Venstre surpassed the Social Democrats in the number of mayors nationally, and analysts cite tougher immigration policies and cost-of-living concerns as key factors ahead of parliamentary elections due by October 2026.