Social Democrats (Denmark)
The Social Democrats (Danish: Socialdemokraterne or Socialdemokratiet), is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It has been the major coalition partner in government since 2011 parliamentary election, with party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt as Prime Minister. It is the second-largest party in the Danish parliament, the Folketing, with 44 of 179 seats.
Founded by Louis Pio in 1871, the party first entered the Folketing in 1884. By the early 20th century it had become the party with the largest representation in the Folketing, a distinction it would hold for 77 years. It first formed a government in 1924 under Thorvald Stauning, the longest-serving Danish Prime Minister of the 20th century. During Stauning's government, the Social Democrats exerted a profound influence on Danish society, laying the foundation of the Danish welfare state.
A member of the Party of European Socialists, the Social Democrats have four MEPs in the European Parliament, an increase of three after the 2004 election.
Read more about Social Democrats (Denmark): Platform, Political Leadership, Founding and History Through The 20th Century, Electoral Performance, Leaders of The Social Democrats, International Affiliations
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