A green left-wing party with an unconventional political culture. Puts sustainability and community ahead of traditional left-wing priorities.
About the party
Alternativet (the Alternative) was founded in 2013 by Uffe Elbaek and Josephine Fock with a manifesto that was not pre-written but co-created by citizens in open political laboratories. The party combines radical climate policy with social-economic innovation and democratic experimentation. Under Franciska Rosenkilde, it has recovered from internal crises and is fighting to stay above the 2 per cent electoral threshold.
Historical milestones
2013Founded by Uffe Elbaek with a programme created by 700 citizens in political laboratories.
2015Impressive debut: 4.8 per cent and 9 seats.
2020Internal crisis: four of five MPs left the party and formed "Frie Gronne" (the Free Greens).
2021Franciska Rosenkilde elected as new leader and began a major rebuilding effort.
Typical voter profile
Creative, climate-conscious urbanites, younger voters, and citizens focused on well-being and sustainability. Strongest in Copenhagen and university towns.
Election history
2026 projection based on DR/Epinion polls
20159 seats
20195 seats
20226 seats
2026~3 seats(proj.)
Key policy areas
Core issue
Climate and the environment
"Denmark's green party." 100 per cent renewable energy by 2040. Phase out fossil fuels and make the public sector lead on green procurement.
High priority
Agriculture and nature
A reduction in industrial animal production, clean drinking water, and improved animal welfare. A pesticide ban as part of a green coalition platform.
High priority
Universal basic income
The only parliamentary party advocating a universal basic income paid to everyone regardless of employment — to free people for volunteering and creativity.
Key issue
30-hour working week
A reduction from 37 to 30 working hours per week for improved well-being, better work-life balance, and a more equal distribution of work.
Key issue
Sustainable economy
A triple bottom line: economy, climate, and social impact. A challenge to GDP as the sole measure of societal success.
Positions on policy topics
Views integration as a shared responsibility and wants far greater investment in language training and employment programmes.
Views climate and biodiversity as existential issues and would invest significantly more than any other party in the green transition.
Wants a shorter working week and basic income experiments as alternatives to the current system.
Wants a welfare model that prioritises care and quality of life over production and efficiency.
Pro-EU and wants to work for a greener and more democratic EU with a focus on sustainability.
Believes crime is best tackled through social prevention, not harsher sentences.
Wants to promote sustainable construction and collective housing forms such as co-housing and cooperatives.
Wants to make education more creative and sustainability-oriented. Sceptical of the current testing culture.
Wants to promote prevention and mental wellbeing and operate from a more holistic view of health.
Sceptical of military build-up. Prioritises diplomacy, peace negotiations and UN-based solutions.
Wants to shift business towards a circular economy. Believes growth is not a goal in itself but a tool.
Wants shorter working hours and believes society should discuss the role of work and a basic income as a possible solution.
Wants a care-oriented elderly service that puts quality of life and community above efficiency.
Wants a sustainable digital transition and asks critical questions about technology's social consequences.
Key politicians
Challenges and criticism
Den grønne dagsorden er i stigende grad overtaget af andre partier, hvilket gør det svært for Alternativet at finde et klart unikt politisk rum.
Partiet befinder sig i risikozonen ved spærregrænsen og er sårbar over for taktisk afstemning, hvor venstrefløjsvælgere prioriterer "sikre" partier.
Det interne kaos i 2020, da fire af fem MF'ere forlod partiet, viste, at Alternativet ikke er immune over for ledelseskonflikter.
Sources
alternativet.dklex.dk – "Alternativet"faktalink.dk – "Alternativet"da.wikipedia.org