“My life is a beautiful fairy tale, so bright and happy,” said Hans Christian Andersen. All Danes who consider themselves the happiest nation in the world could repeat this. And they have reason for this, because Denmark is one of the few countries that embody common sense, order, beauty, prosperity, convenience and environmental friendliness. The main merit of this is the parliament of Denmark and its monarch.
About the Danes
The main values of the Danes: freedom and tolerance. The country allows gay marriage, drugs, and alcohol in public places. Surprisingly, with such permissiveness you will not see dirt, drunk or stoned anywhere, you will not hear rudeness and you will not see fights. The fact is that a high sense of personal responsibility is the main thing for people here.
The Danish state system and legal system are designed in such a way that there are practically no prohibitions in the country, but if there are any, the Danes take them seriously. The rules in this country do not exist to violate them. And everyone respects the state power and political system of Denmark, despite the fact that this country is one of the most expensive in Europe. The level of tax payments in it reaches 50% of income.
King of Denmark
The political system of Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, where the king is the head of state. In the person of the king and parliament, legislative power is exercised. Executive functions are vested in the monarch and government. The king in Denmark has considerable, but not unlimited power; he cannot make any political decisions alone. Parliament limits the powers of the monarch, without his consent he cannot even marry. After the death of the king, in the absence of heirs, the parliament elects a new ruler.
However, the constitution gives the king significant rights. He determines the powers, appoints and dismisses the ministers, heads the meeting of ministers - the Council of State. He also appoints judges, senior officials and government officials of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The king can dissolve the parliament, opens its sessions and approves the legislative acts adopted by him. On behalf of the monarch international agreements are concluded. The king is the supreme commander of the armed forces, makes decisions on pardon and amnesty. Although in reality most of his rights passed to the Council of Ministers. The state’s armed forces are led by the government through the Minister of Defense. And the monarch has not used the right to approve bills for quite some time.
Denmark is now ruled by the Queen Margrethe II, who ascended the throne in 1972. She is the first woman to be the head of state in the entire history of Denmark. To make this possible, in 1953 amendments were made to the law on succession to the throne, since the then monarch had no sons.
Parliament structure
It is easy to understand that the main directing and driving force in Denmark is the parliament. It is called Folketinget (dates. Folketinget) which means - "folk ting." In Scandinavia and Germany, the government assembly, an analogue of the Russian chamber, was called the Ting. The unicameral parliament of Denmark consists of 179 deputies who are elected for 4 years through general direct elections. The age limit is 18 years. King at the suggestion of the government may dissolve the parliament ahead of schedule.
Parliamentary elections
An analysis of Danish electoral law suggests that deputies are elected proportionally — one from each political party. They are representatives of one constituency. Four of them are representatives of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Thus, the Danish parliament is a minority government , which means that state policy is based on compromises between different political factions.
For the first time after its election, parliament convenes at 12 noon on the twelfth weekday, although the monarch may convene it earlier. Regular sessions do not require official convocation. After the summer break, parliament meets on the first Tuesday of October and runs until about spring. An extraordinary session may be convened at the initiative of the Prime Minister or deputies of at least 2/5 of the total. Parliament elects a bureau - the governing body, which consists of the chairman and his deputies. They are in charge of the work of Folketing and commissions.
Parliamentary commissions
Each branch of state activity corresponds to one standing commission, which consists of members of political parties represented in parliament. In addition, special commissions may be formed to address a particular problem or consider a bill. They have the right to receive the necessary information or documents from any persons or organizations.
The highest state official is elected by the Parliament, who is responsible for overseeing the work of the civil and military administration. He is obliged to inform the Folketing about all violations in their work that are contrary to the Constitution or laws of the state.
Powers of Parliament
The constitution gives parliament broad rights. He is in charge of foreign policy, finance, the armed forces of the state and the publication of laws. Folketing itself sets the rules of work and decides on the legality of the election of deputies. Folketing regulates the appointment, removal and dismissal of public servants. The parliament has a legislative function. Formally, it is controlled by the king, without whose consent no law is passed. In fact, the monarch never argues with Folketing.
The government and deputies have the right to submit draft laws for discussion. The government, on behalf of the king, sends bills to folketing. Priority is always given to government projects, proposals of individual deputies are extremely rare, since the government is supported by a party or faction that has a majority in parliament.
Adoption of bills
Each bill goes through three readings. The first is a fact-finding. Then the law is sent for study to the relevant parliamentary commission. The commission gives its opinion, and the draft law is submitted for a second reading, during which there is an article-by-article discussion of the document. The third reading follows - discussion of the law as a whole and voting. The adoption of the law requires that it be approved by a majority vote.
After the law is submitted for approval to the king, who is obliged to impose a resolution within 30 days. For the adoption of laws relating to changes in the succession order and national sovereignty, 5/6 votes of the members of parliament are necessary.
Foreign policy activity
One of the tasks of the parliament is to discuss the nuances of foreign policy. The government is obliged to bring to the attention of parliament information on all significant developments in this area. Without the consent of Folketing, the government cannot dispose of the country's armed forces. The exception is cases of foreign aggression, but even then the parliament should be convened immediately to participate in the discussion of the issue.
Parliament and Government
One of the main rights of Folketing is control over government activities. This function was enshrined in the Danish Constitution in 1953, but has actually been implemented since the beginning of the 20th century. If the parliament expresses no confidence in any of the ministers, he is obliged to resign. If distrust was expressed to the entire Council of Ministers or to the Prime Minister, the entire government resigns.
Also, the parliament can bring ministers to court in case of their unlawful actions, cases of this kind are under the jurisdiction of the State Court. The parliamentary minority enjoys certain guarantees. For example, laws against which a minority of deputies voted are undergoing a complicated procedure.
A minority can achieve a twelve-day delay in passing the bill in the third reading. To do this, dial 2/5 of the total number of votes. A third of the deputies within three days after the adoption of the law may require its removal to a referendum.
If parliament supports this proposal, the law is published, and no earlier than twelve, but no later than eighteen days after publication, a referendum is held. If the majority of voters voted against the law, but not less than 30% of their total number, the adoption of the law will be rejected. No financial bills, bills on the compulsory seizure of private property and on the staff of administrative institutions are not passed a referendum.
Seat of parliament
In one of the most famous sights of Denmark - Christiansborg Castle, in Copenhagen, the Danish Parliament sits. The name of the castle translates as "Christian Castle". It was rebuilt on the site of a 12th-century fortress on the island of Slotsholmen. The island is of artificial origin and was formed as a result of the separation of the peninsula from the rest of the land by canals.
This is the fifth castle erected on the island. The previous four were destroyed by fires and wars. The first castle was built in 1167. The construction of the modern began in 1907, and in 1928 it was completed. The country's parliament moved to the castle in 1828, as King Frederick VI used Christiansborg only for receptions.
Today, the castle is a truly unique complex, which houses an exhibition dedicated to the ancient ruins, the royal library, the residence of the king with reception and residential chambers, the office of the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court and the Danish Parliament. Is there still a country in the world where all branches of government are in such close contact? Thus, Christiansborg Castle has been the focus of Danish economic and political power for 800 years.