ABSTRACT

This chapter begins with an introduction to the Danish case, i.e. the party system and the coalition formation patterns. In the Danish case, two important methods can be identified. First, by having permanent support parties in parliament or, second, by having informally binding legislative agreements. Both have had an effect on the content of Danish immigration and integration policies, and it is through these institutional arrangements that people can understand cooperation and conflict between Danish parties. The chapter explains the historical reactions of mainstream parties to the DF and then focuses on the manifestos and coalition agreements from the 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections. The most important themes of the 2015 election were once again the economy and immigration. There was much debate about the size of the public sector and the costly unemployment benefit system, but towards the end of the campaign the immigration issue became an important theme just as it did during the 2007 election.