Posted on 02/08/2005 1:43:50 PM PST by MadIvan
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's center-right Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen won a second term on Tuesday on the back of a popular crackdown on asylum-seekers and cuts in Denmark's high taxes, according to partial election results.
Rasmussen's Liberal-Conservative coalition and their allies won 56 percent compared with 44 percent for the center-left opposition, with 56 percent of the 4 million votes counted.
The 52-year-old becomes the first Liberal prime minister ever to be re-elected in Denmark. He called a snap election three weeks ago to capitalize on what he described as a "fairy tale" economic and social scenario in the country.
Celebrations at Liberal campaign headquarters were muted by the loss of a few seats in parliament compared to the 2001 poll that brought Rasmussen to power.
"The most important thing is that the prime minister is re-elected, which will be a historic achievement," said Lars Lokke Rasmussen, interior minister and deputy party chief.
Immigration dominated the brief campaign. Laws passed in 2002 make it harder to bring foreign spouses into Denmark and to qualify for asylum, and have cut immigration sharply. Immigrants account for 2 percent of the electorate.
"I think they've done good work because of their immigration policy. That's why I voted for them," said Copenhagen barmaid Marie Hessner. "Instead of getting more foreigners in the country it's important to integrate those who are already here."
Rasmussen, who sent troops to Iraq to help in the U.S.-led war, had warned a victory for the main opposition Social Democrats would "loosen up" asylum policies which he boasts are being copied by European leaders like Britain's Tony Blair.
He is also popular for tax cuts and overseeing growth outstripping the euro zone. Marginal tax rates are still the world's highest but consumer confidence is at a seven-year high. One survey rated Danes the happiest people in the world.
"I like his ideas on taxes. Everything Rasmussen has said so far, he has delivered," said estate agent Mads Roepstorff.
The Social Democrats failed to provide a clear alternative after falling in line with the government both on Iraq and immigration, recording their worst election result in decades.
"It's a major disappointment," said Svend Auken, a member of parliament for the Social Democrats whose campaign was led by 59-year-old ex-Foreign and Finance Minister Mogens Lykketoft.
Police were on alert after an intelligence warning that Denmark's role in Iraq raised the risk of a militant attack.
Although support for the war is waning and six out of 10 people now want the 500 troops withdrawn, Iraq took a back seat in the campaign to the immigration debate.
The opposition Social Liberal Party doubled its vote. Leader Marianne Jelved said this "big victory" was thanks to its clear stand for softer immigration laws. Rasmussen's Conservative coalition allies, who want lower taxes, also gained seats.
The anti-immigrant Danish People's Party, an ally of the ruling coalition, whose proposals include expelling immigrants whose children commit crimes, looked set to take more seats.
"It shows immigration policy is on the right track and we are being rewarded for it," said DPP leader Pia Kjaersgaard.
The Danish government calls its asylum laws "firm but fair." Bertel Haarder, the immigration minister who says he is the second most popular politician after Rasmussen, said Denmark continued to welcome immigrants who have qualifications or jobs.
"Denmark is a welfare state where it is extremely difficult to integrate newcomers into the labor market if they have no qualifications or Danish language," he told correspondents.
She's pickled and haggard looking now. Ugh.
bump and thanks!
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