Thousands and thousands of workers have deserted the Social Democrats, their traditional base, since the September election and moved right towards the Liberal Party.
A new survey by internet newsite Altinget.dk shows that just 22.2 per cent of shop floor workers would vote Social Democrat today, compared to 30.5 per cent eight months ago, while 31.8 per cent would back the Liberals, an 8 percentage point increase.
Political watcher, Professor Søren Risbjerg Thomsen, said he was surprised to see such a significant swing as parties in Denmark seldom change their social profile - however, Social Democrat Mayor of Brøndby Ib Torp said he wasn’t surprised and blamed his party’s long list of broken campaign promises for the voter exodus.
“We haven’t been able to live up to pre-election expectations,” he said. “Voters have become more and more frustrated, especially blue-collar workers who believe the Liberals’ policies are just as good.”
He was backed by fellow mayor, Ole Bjørstorp of Ishøj, who said when the government continually comes up with proposals that threaten social programmes there will always be a counter reaction.
“Workers are unsure as to where they stand today,” he said.