Lars Løkke Rasmussen, leader of the Moderate party, has been seen meeting with right-wing parties despite ongoing government negotiations to form a centre-left government.
Rasmussen’s party holds a crucial 14 seats, meaning that it plays a crucial kingmaker role in government negotiations. Neither side can reach a majority without its support.
The Moderates have been negotiating with the left-wing ‘red’ bloc for weeks in an attempt to form a new government, but he was seen on Thursday morning heading into the office of Conservative Party leader Mona Juul at Christiansborg, the Danish parliament.
Troels Lund Poulsen, leader of the Liberals, also on the right, was also seen entering Juul’s office.
“I don’t have any substantial comments,” Poulsen told the press after the meeting. “No matter what happens, we have to cooperate with parliament and with party leaders, so this is completely natural.”
“I wasn’t entirely aware of the fact that you were aware of us meeting for a cup of coffee,” he said.
Mona Juul’s office is on a green corridor close to the government offices. According to the Ritzau news wire, you need to cross a red corridor in order to get there, which is an area where journalists and politicians often congregate as parties have their group offices there.
Poulsen is quoted by Danish media as saying prior to the meeting that he was off to visit his “best friend, Mona Juul”.
The Moderates are currently negotiating with the Social Democrats and the rest of the left-wing parties to form a centre-left government, although Rasmussen has said that he would rather form a government spanning the center with the Social Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals.
The Conservatives and Liberals have not taken part in negotiations for weeks. A number of right-wing party leaders have criticized Rasmussen for negotiating with the left-wing parties.
Rasmussen formed the Moderate party to keep the parties on the far left and far right out of a position where they can influence politics. He has previously said his party will not accept a government supported by the Red-Green Alliance, although he is still taking part in negotiations with the party as part of the ‘red’ bloc.
Denmark’s ongoing government negotiations are officially the longest in Danish history.
