Denmark’s Frederiksen calls election amid ‘Greenland bounce’ in polls – snap evaluation
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Mette Frederiksen proclaims basic election on 24 March proposing wealth tax to fund colleges, promising to safe the way forward for the commonwealth and pledging to carry Europe collectively.
Will probably be an important election, she says, including that Denmark and Europe should stand in their very own proper and that Denmark’s commonwealth have to be secured.
Her choice to name the election now comes because the prime minister is alleged to be having fun with a “Greenland bounce” within the polls – after poor performance in local elections in which her party lost control of Copenhagen for the first time in decades – in response to her dealing with of the US disaster after Donald Trump’s repeated threats to invade Greenland.
Key occasions
Norway’s King Harald to be discharged from hospital on Thursday
In different information, Norway’s King Harald, 89, who fell sick whereas on vacation in Spain, shall be discharged from hospital on Thursday, the royal palace stated in a press release quoted by Reuters.
Europe’s oldest head of state was taken to hospital on Tuesday on the Spanish island of Tenerife, the place he was on a non-public vacation, affected by a pores and skin an infection on his leg in addition to dehydration.
King Harald and his spouse, Queen Sonja, will proceed their personal keep in Tenerife, and no choice has but been made on when they are going to return dwelling, the palace stated.
‘Unusual’ authorities runs out of observe as Frederiksen hopes for brand spanking new mandate for third time period – snap evaluation
Jakub Krupa
It’s price remembering that the now-caretaker Danish authorities, fashioned in 2022, is a reasonably uncommon cross-partisan coalition of three events throughout the political divide – two on centre-right, and one on centre-left – which regularly see issues in another way; for instance, on the difficulty of wealth tax.
Frederiksen herself referred to as it a “strange” government.
The election might see a brand new, extra aligned, coalition emerge on the finish of the method.
For her half, Frederiksen signalled she could be ready to once more work within the centre of the political spectrum or get nearer to companions on the left as she hopes to safe a 3rd time period because the PM. “I’m not ruling something out prematurely,” she stated.
However, as DR notes, that is more likely to be an odd and presumably divisive marketing campaign, now pitting current allies in opposition to one another.
And it’s not simply Frederiksen who loved good momentum in current months because the Moderates get together of the international minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has gone up from 3% to eight% within the newest figures.
Defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen, of the Venstre get together, is tipped as one other potential prime ministerial candidate.
Let’s see how the marketing campaign unfolds. We are going to observe it intently.
Frederiksen’s strikes to capitalise on current ballot positive aspects after rallying allies in defence of Greenland – snap evaluation
Jakub Krupa
Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats are presently polling at 22-23%, a notable climb from 18% in December.
This surge follows her administration’s defiant stance in opposition to Donald Trump’s push to manage Greenland.
By efficiently rallying European allies behind Copenhagen and Nuuk – even regardless of threats of retaliatory tariffs from the US – Frederiksen seems to have solidified her home standing.
With an election deadline looming later this yr, calling a vote now might enable her to capitalise on this momentum – significantly if, as Miranda stated (12:58), Frederiksen desires the difficulty of European and Danish unity to play a giant half in her marketing campaign.
A YouGov poll discovered a giant bounce in her private approval scores in January, gaining 10pp in comparison with December, which the corporate stated needed to do with “a rally-around-the-flag impact, given the current Greenland disaster.”
Nonetheless, her web consequence remained marginally detrimental, which means extra folks had a detrimental view of her.
There shall be various difficult points which can be more likely to closely future within the marketing campaign, too – and Frederiksen had confronted some criticism over her home report in current months.
Denmark’s Berlingske newspaper said it anticipated a number of consideration to be given to the problems of inequality and wealth – as already indicated by Frederiksen’s phrases on wealth tax – but in addition retirement, immigration, housing coverage, and regulatory purple tape.
Lastly, there’s the difficulty of Greenland.
May Donald Trump presumably dare to hunt to intervene within the (very quick) marketing campaign?
Frederiksen’s request for elections accepted by Danish King
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
The prime minister’s workplace stated in a press release:
“Following the Prime Minister’s advice, which has been accepted by His Majesty the King, it has been determined by open letter that, as a way to give the voters of Folketinget the chance to take a place on essential political points, new elections to Folketinget shall be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.”
Denmark’s Frederiksen calls election amid ‘Greenland bounce’ in polls – snap evaluation
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Mette Frederiksen proclaims basic election on 24 March proposing wealth tax to fund colleges, promising to safe the way forward for the commonwealth and pledging to carry Europe collectively.
Will probably be an important election, she says, including that Denmark and Europe should stand in their very own proper and that Denmark’s commonwealth have to be secured.
Her choice to name the election now comes because the prime minister is alleged to be having fun with a “Greenland bounce” within the polls – after poor performance in local elections in which her party lost control of Copenhagen for the first time in decades – in response to her dealing with of the US disaster after Donald Trump’s repeated threats to invade Greenland.
Denmark to go to polls on 24 March, Frederiksen says
And right here we go: Mette Frederiksen says the Danes will go to the polls on 24 March.
Jakub Krupa
Are we going to get a particular dedication from Frederiksen on the date, or it’s simply basic election discuss since we all know it has to occur this yr?
Stick with us – we’ll deliver you the most recent right here.
Danes ‘will quickly be going to polls,’ PM Frederiksen says
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Frederiksen is talking now.
“Winter has lastly let go, and the times are getting longer and brighter. It should quickly be spring – and the Danes will quickly be going to the polls,” she tells the Danish parliament in a particular assertion.
Denmark’s Frederiksen requests ‘assertion of particular nature’ in parliament amid election hypothesis
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Again in Copenhagen, within the strongest election trace but, Mette Frederiksen has simply shared a picture on social media of the be aware that she simply handed to the speaker of the Danish parliament requesting the ground for “a press release of a particular nature.”
Let’s see what comes out of that.
Belgium prepares to deploy air-defence system over Antwerp port to protect in opposition to drone disruption
Individually, Belgium stated it was getting ready to deploy an air-defence system on the port of Antwerp to counter the rising drone risk to essential infrastructure, Reuters reported.
The strikes comes after Belgium final yr confronted a collection of drone incursions that pressured short-term shutdowns at Belgian airports and a army airbase.
A number of drone sightings have been additionally reported over the port of Antwerp – together with above nuclear energy crops, the BASF chemical complicated and the Europa container terminal – elevating alarm over the vulnerability of key industrial and power websites.
The spokesperson declined to offer particular particulars on the plans – first reported by Belgian media – citing operational safety causes however added that the system shall be ordered quickly.
Nordic area on excessive alert over alleged risk in opposition to power infrastructure – media report
In the meantime, the Nordic international locations are on excessive alert amid issues a few potential strike in opposition to their power infrastructure, Sweden’s TV4 reported.
The broadcaster claimed that “an actor, believed to be linked to a international energy, has threatened the power community all through the Nordic area, together with Sweden.”
In response, various authorities and police models have been placed on excessive alert and ordered to intently monitor the essential infrastructure, TV4 stated.
It claimed that the potential incident might happen in “close to future.”
The report was extensively picked up by other Swedish media outlets.
The Guardian has not been in a position independently confirm the report. We have now approached Sweden’s sign intelligence company for remark.
Hungary’s Orbán requires EU ‘fact-finding mission’ to examine Druzhba pipeline
In the meantime, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán has urged the European Union to type a “fact-finding mission” to examine the Druzhba pipeline amid escalating rigidity with Ukraine.
In a letter to European Council president António Costa, Orbán insisted that his initiative seeks to “facilitate the well timed decision of this challenge,” which held up the fee of the EU’s €90bn mortgage to Ukraine and the adoption of the twentieth bundle of sanctions in opposition to Russia (9:47).
He requested that the mission included specialists from Hungary and Slovakia, which additionally continues to be affected by the disrupted oil transit by way of the pipeline.
He assured Costa that Hungary would settle for the findings of such mission, no matter they are going to be.
Maintaining shut eye on Denmark amid election hypothesis
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
We’re preserving an in depth eye on developments in Copenhagen immediately amid hypothesis that immediately might doubtlessly be the day that Mette Frederiksen calls a basic election.
At this time was already a date that had been tipped as a possible one for the election to be referred to as – it have to be held by 31 October this yr on the newest – however when the Danish prime minister arrived at Folketinget, the Danish parliament, a short time in the past, it prompted a lot pleasure amongst politicians and journalists.
On her means, she posted on Instagram that she was on her method to vote for meals assist laws “amongst different issues” and entered Folketingshallen smiling with a purple folder underneath her arm.
Since then, she has been doing a variety of embracing of colleagues across the chamber
Social Democrat Yildiz Akdogan has simply shared a picture of the PM on X with the query: “Is the election coming?”
US-Ukraine Geneva talks to concentrate on postwar reconstruction plans
In the meantime, again in Geneva, the US and Ukrainian negotiators are anticipated to carry talks which can concentrate on postwar reconstruction as a part of a broader push to finish the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.
The discussions, revolving across the so-called “prosperity bundle” for Ukraine, have been anticipated to start round lunchtime.
This stream of talks is separate from the trilateral negotiations that contain Russia and search to discover a means ahead to finish the battle.
The US delegation can be individually holding Iran talks, additionally in Geneva.
Persevering with his speech, Sikorski additionally informed Polish parliament that whereas Washington stays Poland’s most essential companion in army cooperation and Warsaw has been and can stay a loyal ally of the US, it can’t be “a sucker”.
In a prolonged passage responding to the altering US defence and international coverage, he stated:
“We view the shifts within the US with understanding, but in addition with unease. We bear in mind the historical past of assist for Poland from presidents like Woodrow Wilson and Ronald Reagan through the varied eras once we fought for our independence.
However we additionally bear in mind Yalta. After the autumn of Nazi Germany, president Franklin Roosevelt sought Stalin’s assist in the warfare in opposition to Japan. He secured it, however on the expense of freedom for this a part of Europe. The American nationwide curiosity was served; we have been those who paid the worth.
I submit this for the consideration of those that need worldwide relations to be based mostly solely on a ruthless battle for narrowly outlined pursuits. It’s not for us to outline the US nationwide curiosity. I ask the fitting aspect of this chamber: has it not dawned on you that the day earlier than yesterday, the USA – identical to China – abstained from the UN basic meeting vote on the inviolability of Ukraine’s borders?
If we change 1945 Japan with immediately’s China, can we be sure that American pursuits will stay aligned with Polish ones?
We have now been, and can stay, a loyal ally of America – however we can’t afford to be suckers.”
As an alternative, he pressured that Poland has been radically ramping up its defence spending and is main the European a part of Nato in taking increasingly accountability for defending the continent, whereas additionally spending billions on defence purchases, together with from the US.
Sikorski additionally pointedly referenced the Polish victims of army operations in Iran and Afghanistan in an oblique response to Trump’s remark belittling non-US military contributions final month.
He additionally acknowledged the shifting public attitudes to the US in consequence, pointing to a current ballot which confirmed that 54% of Poles don’t contemplate the US a dependable ally, with solely 35% saying they do.
Defending Nato’s japanese flank from Russia would price €1.2tn, Poland says
Defending Nato’s japanese flank in case of a possible Russian aggression would price at the very least €1.2tn ($1.42 trillion), Polish international minister Radosław Sikorski stated in a speech to parliament, Reuters reported.
“Defending the international locations of Nato’s japanese flank within the occasion of a possible Russian aggression would price at the very least twelve hundred billion euros – twenty-four occasions greater than the Polish defence funds,” he warned.
He in contrast that to simply underneath €200bn that the EU and its member states have paid to Ukraine since 2022.
“A free Ukraine, as a part of the West, is our probability to render Russian imperialism toothless,” he stated.
He added:
“Regardless of what its propaganda claims, Russia is in no way profitable. Don’t fall for it. Russia shouldn’t be, and by no means has been, invincible.”
Sikorski additionally paid tribute to the financial contribution of Ukrainian migrants and refugees resident in Poland, including PLN 100bn (€24bn) to Poland’s GDP, the equal of half of the annual funds of Poland’s healthcare system.
Morning opening
Jakub Krupa
US and Ukrainian negotiators meet in Geneva, Switzerland for additional talks about ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine amid persevering with assaults on Ukrainian cities.
At the least 23 folks have been injured in in a single day strikes, with 420 drones and 39 missiles utilized by Russia to focus on Ukraine within the newest spherical of assaults.
“When the entire world calls for Moscow to lastly cease this mindless warfare, Putin bets on extra terror, assaults, and aggression,” Ukrainian international minister Andrii Sybiha stated.
In the meantime, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán seems to be escalating his rhetoric in opposition to Ukraine even additional, making unsubstantiated allegations that the wartorn nation could possibly be planning to disrupt Hungarian power system.
This morning he posted an “open letter” to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alleging that for years he “had been working to power Hungary into the warfare between your nation and Russia,” with alleged assist from Brussels and the Hungarian opposition forces.
In a separate clip from a radio interview, Orbán stated he had all the time anticipated Ukraine to interact in “soiled tips” alleging a conspiracy to “create chaos and provide insecurity” in Hungary’s power sector.
Kyiv continues to strongly deny all of Orbán’s allegations and says the disruption to grease transit by way of the Druzhba pipeline is solely associated to wreck from Russian strikes.
The Hungarian prime minister’s language seems to be more and more toughening as we get nearer to the 12 April parliamentary election, which might see him ousted from energy after 16 years, with the most recent polls displaying him trailing the opposition get together Tisza led by Péter Magyar by as a lot as 20 share factors amongst determined voters.
“It’s unacceptable when sure blackmailers within the EU not solely block choices wanted for collective defence, but in addition threaten to halt some power provides to Ukraine at a time when our nation’s power system is being brutally bombed,” Ukraine’s Sybiha responded this morning.
It’s Thursday, 26 February 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Reside.
Good morning.
