Denmark elects first female PM
- 13 years ago
Danes welcome their first female prime minister.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt and her left-leaning coalition won a narrow majority in Denmark's 179-seat parliament.
Those who voted for her are glad to see the country's center-right government shift to the left for the first time in a decade.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) REKKE HEINSEN SAYING:
"I voted for the red parties. The socialist party actually and I'm really happy because I need a change in Denmark after ten years of a more liberal government. I'm a happy woman."
(SOUNDBITE)(Danish) ERIK NOBEL SAYING:
"I think our society will be re-ignited and that is needed."
Others aren't so sure she'll be able to implement much-needed economic reforms.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) SOREN JENSEN SAYING:
"It's ok. It's pretty much the same. There is no real difference in the factual economic policy."
Prime Minister-in-waiting, Thorning Schmidt, will likely face opposition from the very beginning.
Two of her biggest supporters in the bloc are at opposite ends of the political spectrum and could be difficult to unite.
Outgoing Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, is set to officially tender his resignation later on Friday.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
Helle Thorning-Schmidt and her left-leaning coalition won a narrow majority in Denmark's 179-seat parliament.
Those who voted for her are glad to see the country's center-right government shift to the left for the first time in a decade.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) REKKE HEINSEN SAYING:
"I voted for the red parties. The socialist party actually and I'm really happy because I need a change in Denmark after ten years of a more liberal government. I'm a happy woman."
(SOUNDBITE)(Danish) ERIK NOBEL SAYING:
"I think our society will be re-ignited and that is needed."
Others aren't so sure she'll be able to implement much-needed economic reforms.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) SOREN JENSEN SAYING:
"It's ok. It's pretty much the same. There is no real difference in the factual economic policy."
Prime Minister-in-waiting, Thorning Schmidt, will likely face opposition from the very beginning.
Two of her biggest supporters in the bloc are at opposite ends of the political spectrum and could be difficult to unite.
Outgoing Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, is set to officially tender his resignation later on Friday.
Jessica Gray, Reuters