Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats / S)

EU RANK: 46 (Tier 2: High Performance)

Socialdemokratiet is Denmark’s largest party, representing centre-left social democracy with commitment to strong welfare provision, labour rights, social equality, climate action, and pragmatic EU engagement. Under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s leadership since 2019, the party won 27.54% of the vote and 50 seats in 2022. Socialdemokratiet currently leads a centrist coalition government with Venstre and the Moderates, consolidating support through pragmatic combination of welfare-state expansion with restrictive immigration controls.

Disinformation and alternative media

Socialdemokratiet relies on mainstream media outlets, parliamentary communication channels, and digital platforms for political messaging. The party frames workers’ rights, welfare protection, and climate action as core policy areas. Our research indicates that the party and its leadership have been occasional targets of disinformation campaigns, particularly regarding immigration policy framings and EU relations, though the party has not been documented as initiating large-scale disinformation operations. The party does not control traditional media conglomerates and operates within standard democratic communication frameworks. Disinformation/alternative media risk is low to medium.

Foreign influence and external alignments

Socialdemokratiet is firmly pro-EU and supports robust multilateral cooperation on climate, trade, security, and social policy matters. The party backs significant support for Ukraine and democratic movements abroad and advocates strong EU institutional frameworks. Denmark began its six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2025, with Frederiksen helming the agenda. There is no evidence of financial or organizational ties to hostile foreign states. The party’s internationalist social democracy positioning emphasizes legitimate European cooperation and institutional integration. Foreign influence DMI risk is low.

Media capture, advertising and public service media

Socialdemokratiet does not own major media outlets. However, as Denmark’s governing party and holder of the prime ministership, the party possesses significant agenda-setting influence over public debates and media priorities. The party has not attempted systematic capture of public broadcasters, though its governmental status provides inherent advantages in shaping public discourse. The party has generally supported public service broadcasting independence and participates in standard appointment processes to broadcaster boards. Media capture DMI risk is low to medium.

Corruption, litigation and institutional integrity

The Mink Commission inquiry (2020–2022) investigated Prime Minister Frederiksen’s governmental decision to cull all mink during the COVID-19 pandemic. The independent commission concluded that the government acted without necessary legal framework and that Frederiksen had grossly misled the public regarding the decision’s legal basis. However, the commission found no evidence of intentional criminal misconduct, only gross negligence and administrative failure. No criminal charges were pursued against Frederiksen, though the scandal damaged credibility. Frederiksen survived politically and reformed her coalition in 2022. The party receives DKK 35,963,814.75 in annual public subsidy (2024), the largest of any Danish party, and maintains standard financial reporting. DMI corruption and institutional integrity risk is medium.

Press freedom, harassment and treatment of media

Socialdemokratiet supports public service broadcasting and has not engaged in systematic campaigns to delegitimize media institutions. However, as the governing party, the party leadership has occasionally criticized media coverage as unfair or sensationalist. This reflects standard political rhetoric rather than systematic delegitimization campaigns. There is no documented pattern of mobilizing harassment against journalists. The party operates within democratic norms regarding press relations and maintains constructive media engagement. Press freedom and harassment DMI risk is low.

Dimension	Risk level	Short justification
Disinformation & alternative media	Low–Medium	Largest governing party; does not control major media; occasional disinformation targeting; standard democratic communication.
Foreign influence & external alignments	Low	Strongly pro-EU, supports Ukraine and multilateral cooperation; no hostile foreign state ties.
Media capture & advertising / PSB control	Low–Medium	Does not own media; governmental position provides agenda-setting influence; maintains PSB independence norms.
Corruption & institutional integrity risk	Medium	Mink Commission found administrative failure and public misleading; no criminal convictions; operates within democratic bounds.
Press freedom & harassment of media	Low	Supports PSB; occasional political criticism of coverage; no systematic journalist harassment; democratic norms maintained.