Danish Opposition during Economic Crisis: Challenge or Confirmation of ‘Responsible Opposition’?

The economic crisis of 2008-2009 hit the prosperous welfare state of Denmark relatively hard with significant economic recess followed by stagnation. The right-wing government until 2011 and the centre-left wing government since 2011 have both proposed various initiatives to fight the crisis. Some of these have been passed with broad majorities, i.e. including significant parts of the opposition, while others were passed with narrow majorities. Some proposals could be seen as in a national interest without a strong ideological component whereas others at the same time moved policies significantly to the left or to the right. The European Union and its stability pact have also affected the process. This paper seeks to assess the impact of opposition during the economic crisis. In a ‘consensus democracy’ we should expect the part of the opposition aiming for government to act responsible and in a national interest when important matters are at stake. However, we should also expect the general effect of the crisis to strengthen those parts of the opposition on the wings of the political system that freely criticize the government. The papers analyses these patterns through studies of the major economic policy measures agreed to by the political parties found in the Danish parliament but also with more general legislative data.