Constitutional requirements Folketing

composition of members


the folketing consists of 179 members elected four-year term or until prime minister (via queen-in-council) calls elections, whichever comes first. 175 members elected in denmark, while greenland , faroe islands each elect 2 members separately.
the constitution not mention political parties @ all, although electoral act does, , mps elected party. independent has been elected in modern times comedian jacob haugaard, independents, unknown ones, seen @ every election. requirements standing independent candidate more lenient new party (signatures 150 eligible voters), independents allowed contest in single district, making difficult gain needed number of votes seat.


voting system


the constitution requires equal representation of various opinions of electorate , , regional representation secured. electoral act stipulates details this: 135 seats elected proportional representation in 10 districts, , 40 supplementary seats allotted make out difference between district , nationwide vote. 135 seats distributed parties d hondt method of party-list system of proportional representation , 40 supplementary seats sainte-laguë method. each party may choose among number of methods how seats won party distributed among candidates.
the result proportional representation; however, in rare cases, biggest parties may gain 1 or 2 seats smaller parties.
the voter may vote party list, 1 of candidates on party list, or independent candidate.
parties (usually district party assemblies) decide on nomination of candidates before election. when co-nomination assigned, candidates elected according personal votes. when priority order assigned, extreme number of personal votes can change rank.
parties must either pass threshold, 2% of national vote, or gain district seat gain supplemental seats. though rare, possible party gain district seat without getting 2% of national vote. there esoteric third rule allows party represented, if has enough votes in 2 of 3 areas country divided into. no party has ever fulfilled rule without getting 2% of national vote.
to stand election, parties not represented in parliament must collect certificates of support approximately 20,000 voters (the number of valid votes cast in denmark proper @ latest election, divided 175 — equivalent of 1 seat; after 2007 election required number 19,769) , have these individually stamped registration office in these voters municipalities of residence.


voter requirements


denmark has universal suffrage citizens on 18 years live in realm , have not been declared incapable of managing own affairs. constitution makes possible restrict suffrage convicted criminals , people receiving social benefits, option has not been used several decades.
all voters have not been convicted of criminal acts makes them unworthy seat in parliament, eligible. folketing decides if member eligible or not (after election).


bertel haarder (v) making speech



view gallery



parliamentary privileges


members enjoy immunity, meaning no criminal charges may brought against mp, unless caught red-handed, provided folketing not lift immunity. purpose of prevent political persecution. in practice, folketing has lifted immunity when member has been accused of crime, consent of accused member himself.
debates can conducted behind closed doors, although has not happened since 9 april 1940, day of german invasion in ww ii.


ministers


ministers may hold seat in parliament, not need to. supreme court judges — according convention — may not hold seat whilst acting judges.
ministers may — if not mps — demand talking time whenever want.


legislating


bills may brought before parliament members (private member s bills) , ministers. bills predominantly brought before parliament ministers, because have law office of ministry of justice @ disposal. instead of putting forward private bill, opposition put forward proposal parliamentary decision, i.e., short resolution addresses subject , directs relevant minister propose bill concerning it.




^ det danske valgsystem. valg til folketinget (in danish). ministry of interior , social affairs
^ fakta om ophævelse af parlamentarisk immunitet [facts lifting parliamentary immunity] (in danish). dr. 2003-05-23. retrieved 2017-08-08.