Left leaning Denmark elects first woman PM

Denmark yesterday elected its first woman Prime Minister, ending a decade of populist-backed right-wing rule which had earned the country a reputation for pursuing some of the most anti-immigrant policies in Europe.

Near-complete official results showed a left-leaning bloc led by Social Democrat Helle Thorning-Schmidt would gain a narrow majority in the 179-seat Parliament, ousting liberal Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen's centre-right coalition.

"We did it. Make no mistake: We have written history," the 44-year-old opposition leader told jubilant supporters in Copenhagen. "Today there's a change of guards in Denmark."

Rasmussen conceded defeat, saying he would present his Cabinet's resignation today to Queen Margrethe.

As leader of a prospective "Red Bloc" coalition, Thorning-Schmidt has promised to sweep away the anti-immigrant policies introduced at the behest of the right-wing Danish People's Party. Rasmussen's "Blue Bloc" had insisted on strict border controls which have angered the EU.

Thorning-Schmidt's campaign was rocked by allegations in the tabloid press that her husband, Stephen Kinnock - the son of former Labour leader Lord Kinnock - is gay and that the couple had avoided paying taxes on their properties in Denmark.

Before polling yesterday, Thorning-Schmidt insisted: "I can only say it is not true. It is so grotesque. It is unpleasant to hear people talk about us like that."

Thorning-Schmidt has been the Social Democrats leader for six years.

- Independent