Denmark country profile – BBC News

Despite being a relatively small country, the Kingdom of Denmark has surpassed its stature internationally.

The Vikings, who arrived from Denmark and other Nordic countries, changed European history in the 9th and 10th centuries. During the Middle Ages, the Kalmar Union unified all of Scandinavia under Danish leadership.

In recent years, Denmark has developed a highly competitive, service-based economy with high employment levels and a generous social security system.

The Social Democrats led coalition governments for most of the post-war period until the 1980s, cementing the country’s liberal reputation, but then concerns about high taxation levels and tensions over immigration led to a shift in the centre-right. He has been in power for several long periods.

King Frederick X will succeed his mother Queen Margrethe II on the Danish throne in January 2024. Margrethe, who ruled for 52 years, became the first Danish monarch in more than 800 years to voluntarily abdicate.

In his first address to the Danes, King Frederick said his mission to be the “unified king of tomorrow” was something he had worked towards all his life.

“This is a job I have undertaken with pride, respect and joy.”

Queen Margrethe became monarch after a 1953 law change allowed women to inherit the throne. She inherited her throne after the death of her father, Frederick IX, in 1972.

Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen

Social Democratic Party leader Mette Frederiksen returned her party to power in the June 2019 general election, ending four years of centre-right rule.

She campaigned on a combination of traditional centre-left demands for stronger welfare policies and a promise to be tough on immigration.

She took over the party leadership in 2015 when her predecessor Helle Thorning Schmidt, Denmark’s first female prime minister, was ousted.

At the age of 41, she is the youngest prime minister in Denmark’s history.

Public Denmarks Radio (DR) operates a national television network and national and local radio.

TV2 is a government-owned commercial broadcaster. The main private television channels broadcast via digital terrestrial, digital satellite, and cable channels.

Freedom of expression is provided for by law. Facebook is the top social media destination.

Important dates in Danish history:

10th century -The Kingdom of Denmark is unified and Christianity is introduced.

1397 – The Kalmar Union unites Denmark, Sweden, and Norway under a single monarch. Denmark is an overwhelmingly powerful country.

1729 – Greenland becomes a province of Denmark.

1814 – Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden.

1849 – Denmark becomes a constitutional monarchy. A bicameral parliament was established.

1914-1918 -During World War I, Denmark was a neutral country.

1930s – Welfare state established by a government dominated by social democrats.

1939 – Denmark signs a 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany.

1940 – The Nazi invasion met with virtually no initial resistance. The government accepts occupation in exchange for a means of internal control.

1943 – A determined campaign by the Danish Resistance gives Germany complete control of the situation in Denmark. Thousands of Danish Jews manage to escape to Sweden.

[1945[1945年– Germany surrenders and the occupation ends. Denmark recognizes Iceland’s independence.

1949 – Denmark joins NATO.

1952 – Denmark becomes a founding member of the Nordic Council.

1953 – The constitutional amendment will bring about a unicameral parliament based on proportional representation. Women are allowed to ascend to the Danish throne. Greenland becomes an integral part of Denmark.

1959 – Denmark joins the European Free Trade Association.

1973 – Denmark joins the European Economic Community.

1972 – Frederick IX dies and is succeeded by his daughter Margaret II.

1979 – Greenland is granted autonomy. Denmark maintains control over Greenland’s foreign affairs and defense.

the year of 2000 – Danes refuse to adopt the euro as their national currency.

2008 – Greenland referendum approves plan for Denmark to seek greater autonomy and a greater share of oil revenues off the island’s coast.

2009 – Denmark plans to establish an Arctic military command and task force as the ice sheet melts and access to Greenland and the Faroe Islands becomes possible.

2014 – Denmark submits its claims to territory around the North Pole to a United Nations commission that collects evidence to determine control of the region.

2018 – Denmark prohibits the wearing of face veils in public places.

2024 – Queen Margrethe abdicates and is succeeded by her son Frederick X.