Denmark: “De Grønne”

The development of the Danish party system sets it apart from most others in Western Europe and makes for anything but an ideal breeding-ground for “green” parties. The Danish Greens were founded in October 1983 - thus too late to take either political or parliamentary advantage of the new social movements which were already represented through the small leftist parties. The Greens are especially popular with the youngest age group among the voters. 51 percent of their electorate in the election of 1987 were between 18 and 29 jears old, and only ten percent were older than 40. With regard to the Green's competitors on the Danish electoral scene two issues in their program must be emphasized: The European Community and defense. “De Gronne” favours a unilateral disarmament of Denmark and the abolition of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. © 1989 Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.