Founded by Lars Løkke Rasmussen in 2022. Sits in the centre and stresses pragmatism and cross-bloc cooperation.
About the party
Moderaterne was founded in 2022 by the veteran former prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and won 9.3 per cent at its debut — the most successful first election for a new party in years. The party's raison d'etre is to break the traditional bloc politics and build broad centrist coalitions. It sits in the SVM government but is struggling with falling polls and internal scandals.
Historical milestones
2021Lars Løkke Rasmussen left Venstre after 40 years and launched a new debate forum.
2022Historic debut at 9.3 per cent and immediately formed the centrist SVM government.
2023Political scandals involving internal affairs weakened the party's public image.
Typical voter profile
Pragmatic centrist voters who want cross-bloc government cooperation and are tired of the traditional bloc logic. At its debut the party drew voters from both Socialdemokratiet and Venstre.
Election history
2026 projection based on DR/Epinion polls
202216 seats
2026~12 seats(proj.)
Key policy areas
Core issue
Anti-bloc centrist politics
"Denmark is locked in red and blue blocs." Moderaterne proves its raison d'etre through the very existence of the SVM government as the pragmatic centre point.
High priority
Healthcare
A more coherent health service with geographic equality. Lars Løkke's core competence from his time as interior and health minister in 2001-2007.
Key issue
Climate and green transition
Carbon taxes, offshore wind, and green technology — but at a pace business can keep up with. "The wind turbines must get off paper and start spinning."
Key issue
Personal freedom and welfare
Liberated welfare with self-governing nursing homes and municipalities. Trust in citizens rather than state control.
Positions on policy topics
Results-oriented: wants to judge policies by their actual integration outcomes rather than political signalling.
Supports ambitious climate targets but insists solutions must be business-friendly and not harm competitiveness.
Pragmatic on taxation. Wants reform rather than dramatic increases or decreases, and believes efficiency gains can free up funds.
Supports the welfare state but believes it needs modernisation and better resource management.
Strongly pro-EU and wants to expand European cooperation on defence and climate.
Believes criminal justice policy should be effective and evidence-based, not symbolic politics.
Wants to boost construction by removing unnecessary rules and getting municipalities to release more land.
Wants better results, not necessarily larger budgets. Believes quality and efficiency can be improved within existing frameworks.
Wants to reform the health service and use private hospitals to bring down waiting lists faster.
Strong defence profile. Lars Lokke Rasmussen supports rearmament and NATO fully.
Pro-growth and business-friendly. Wants to attract international investment and combine it with the green transition.
Wants to preserve the flexicurity model but modernise collective agreements to fit today's working life.
Wants to reform elderly care with stronger professional standards and new technology that frees up time for personal care.
Wants to make Denmark a European frontrunner on AI and digitalisation.
Key politicians
Challenges and criticism
En række politiske og personlige skandalesager (Jon Stephensen, Mike Fonseca, Jeppe Søe) har svækket partiets image og styrket narrativet om Moderaterne som et Lars Løkke-projekt uden klar identitet.
Partiet har tabt mandater siden valget og kæmper med at bevise, at det kan bestå som selvstændig politisk kraft uden Løkkes personlige appel.
Sources
moderaterne.dklex.dk – "Moderaterne"faktalink.dk – "Moderaterne"da.wikipedia.org