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1. Main concepts

2. Institutions of representative democracy

Main concepts

Denmark has no main concepts related to youth participation. Instead, youth-related objectives are integrated across sectoral policies in education, employment, health, culture and social affairs. Current national goals emphasise that all young people should have the opportunity to complete an education, participate in society, and experience well-being and inclusion. The 2024 Ungeløftet partnership marks a renewed cross-ministerial focus on reaching vulnerable youth and strengthening coordination across policy areas.

Institutions of representative democracy

Constitutional structure and main representative institutions

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch’s powers are limited by the Danish Constitution (Grundloven). Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated among the Parliament (Folketinget), the Government, and the Courts.

The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) is the central legislative body with 179 members, including representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Its main responsibilities are to pass laws, approve the state budget, oversee the government, and take part in international cooperation. The Speaker and the Presidium organise parliamentary work, while committees prepare and scrutinise legislation. Denmark’s system of negative parliamentarism means that the government does not need a parliamentary majority to govern, but it must not face a majority against it. Most Danish governments are therefore minority governments.

The Government holds executive power and is headed by the Prime Minister, who appoints ministers responsible for specific policy areas. The administration is subject to control by the Parliament, the Courts, the National Audit Office, and the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body and ensures that laws and administrative decisions comply with the Constitution.

Denmark is divided into five regions and 98 municipalities, both governed by elected councils with four-year terms. Regions manage healthcare and regional development, while municipalities are responsible for local welfare services such as education, employment, social care, and leisure. The regional council members are elected for four years (LBK nr 70 af 23/01/2024).

 Municipalities also play a key role in youth participation through youth councils and local democracy initiatives. The municipal council must set up a finance committee (LBK nr 70 af 23/01/2024) and at least one permanent committee. Normally, there are four to six permanent committees (e.g., the technical and environmental committee, children and youth committee, culture and leisure committee, and employment committee). The local council members are elected for four years.

National elections

Elections in Denmark are free, secret, and based on proportional representation. General elections must be held at least every four years, while regional and municipal elections occur on fixed four-year cycles. Voters can cast ballots in person or by advance voting, including from abroad. With a low electoral threshold of 2%, Denmark has a multi-party system, currently represented by a broad range of parties across the political spectrum.

As of 2025, the following political parties are represented in the Danish parliament.

Parties elected in Denmark:

• The Social Democratic Party
• The Liberal Party
• The Moderates
• The Green Left
• The Denmark Democrats
• The Liberal Alliance
• The Conservative People’s Party
• The Red-Green Alliance
• The Social Liberal Party
• The Alternative
• The Danish People's Party
• Citizens’ Party – formed in 2024 by a former member of the party Nye Borgerlige.

Parties elected in Greenland and the Faroe Islands:

• Inuit Ataqatigiit
• Siumut
• Sambandsflokkurin
• Javnaðarflokkurin