Poulsen Aims to Form Minority Centre-Right Government in Denmark
In Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen announced his intention to form a minority government comprising Venstre, the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Alliance, collectively referred to as a “VLAK” government.
Speaking from a hotel in Copenhagen, Poulsen expressed regret over the prolonged stalemate and emphasized that further negotiations “should not drag on unnecessarily,” noting the urgent need for government action on various issues.
However, the proposed coalition would fall significantly short of a parliamentary majority.
Based on his remarks, Poulsen appears to be relying on the absence of a negative majority willing to oppose the government, hoping to present a programme acceptable to some parties not formally part of the coalition.
He highlighted areas of clear support, including reformist economic policies aimed at reducing taxes and duties to benefit businesses, strengthening the military, and tightening immigration and deportation laws.
"It is a political framework that a majority in Folketing should not oppose; at least if it is about the policy, and not about individuals."
Meanwhile, Morten Messerschmidt, leader of the far-right Danish People’s Party, has publicly declared his position regarding the proposal.
Attention now turns to Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s centre-right Moderates to gauge their response.
'I Consider It a Test Balloon, and It Can't Fly,' Rasmussen Says Rejecting Minority Government Plans
Returning briefly to Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, known as a key political influencer, expressed skepticism about the proposed minority government.
In his initial public response, Rasmussen appeared unimpressed, criticizing Lund Poulsen for abandoning government formation efforts prematurely despite having four days remaining.
"I consider it a test balloon, and of course it can’t fly,"
NATO Fighter Jets Shoot Down Drone Over Estonia
In Estonia, NATO’s Baltic Air Policing fighter jets reportedly shot down a drone that entered Estonian airspace.
The drone was intercepted over Lake Vörtsjärv in southern Estonia.
Estonia’s Defence Minister, Hanno Pevkur, confirmed the incident to local news outlets and public broadcasters, suggesting the drone was likely Ukrainian, targeting locations in northwestern Russia where strikes were reported earlier that morning. The drone’s systems were believed to have been jammed, causing it to stray off course.
This assessment was corroborated by Marko Mihkelson, chair of the foreign affairs committee in the Estonian parliament.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal reportedly informed parliament that the incident demonstrated the country’s capability to manage such situations.
No civilian casualties or damage were reported.
Around midday local time, drone alerts were issued in parts of Estonia and Latvia.
Latvia experienced disruptions, including delays in train services and language examinations, due to the warnings.
It is noteworthy that several Baltic and Nordic NATO member states have reported stray drone incursions in recent months amid the ongoing Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. The Latvian government recently collapsed following criticism of its response to one such incident.
Lund Poulsen's Minority Government Proposal Surprises Danish Political Establishment
Troels Lund Poulsen, leader of the centre-right Danish Liberal Party (Venstre), surprised the political landscape by announcing plans to form a right-leaning minority government.
The coalition would include his party, the Liberal Alliance, and the Conservatives, collectively holding only 44 seats, and would operate on a case-by-case basis.
The plan depends on support from Lars Løkke Rasmussen, leader of the Moderates and regarded as a political kingmaker, who has yet to publicly comment on the proposal.
Poulsen invited the Moderates and three other parties—the far-right Danish People’s Party, the Danish Democrats, and the centrist Danish Social Liberal Party—to participate in talks, excluding the Social Democrats, Denmark’s largest party.
Social Democrat leader and acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was unable to form a government during the initial negotiations.
Poulsen stated that forming a government with the Social Democrats “looks extremely difficult,” but refrained from making a definitive decision.
The proposed government’s agenda includes lowering taxes, increasing wealth, reforming deportation policies, and continuing military rearmament.
This announcement comes after a record eight weeks since Denmark’s election, amid concerns over confidential talks between the US and Greenland regarding increased US presence on the Arctic territory, following repeated threats of invasion and the presence of US special envoy Jeff Landry in Nuuk.
Landry is accompanied by a medical team assessing Greenland’s healthcare needs, alongside the US ambassador to Denmark, Kenneth Howery.
Given Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s influential role in the outcome, our Nordic correspondent Miranda Bryant provides a profile of him.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero Investigated for Influence Peddling
In Spain, the High Court announced an investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero for alleged influence peddling and related offenses, according to .
Authorities searched Zapatero’s Madrid office and three other locations. He has been summoned to testify on 2 June.
The investigation is part of the Plus Ultra case, concerning a €53 million state bailout in 2021 of the domestic airline Plus Ultra through the state holding company SEPI during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bailout was politically contentious due to questions about Plus Ultra’s strategic value, financial stability, and connections to Venezuelan shareholders. The High Court is examining whether the aid was properly authorized.
Zapatero is a key ally of current Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who faces mounting pressure amid ongoing corruption investigations involving his inner circle, wife, and brother.
Zapatero served as Spain’s prime minister from 2004 to 2011, securing two absolute parliamentary majorities. AFP notes this is the first time a former Spanish prime minister has been formally investigated since Spain’s transition to democracy following dictator Francisco Franco’s death in 1975.
Update Expected on Danish Government Formation
An update on the Danish government formation process is anticipated this morning, with Troels Lund Poulsen scheduled to hold a press conference shortly.
Further developments will be reported as they emerge.
US Envoy Jeff Landry Receives Tepid Reception in Greenland
In Greenland, US envoy Jeff Landry is set to attend a conference on the territory’s future today.
Despite significant attention on his visit, the most notable incident so far involves Landry being booed by Greenlandic children, with video clips of the event gaining global attention.
Ulrik Pram Gad, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, remarked poetically,
"It’s a bit difficult to become good friends with someone you have kicked in the balls first."
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Foreign Minister Múte B. Egede are scheduled to speak at the conference later today.
UN Security Council to Discuss Ukraine Amid Russian Military Drills
The UN Security Council is convening to discuss the situation in Ukraine following recent intense Russian attacks and joint nuclear weapons drills conducted by Russia and Belarus.
The meeting, called by Denmark, France, Greece, Liberia, and the UK, is expected to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The timing coincides with a three-day nuclear weapons exercise involving tens of thousands of troops in Russia and Belarus, and precedes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to China.
Elsewhere, attention will be on Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s first foreign trip to Brussels for a two-day visit, EU negotiators finalizing the implementation of the EU-US trade deal, and a meeting of NATO military chiefs in Brussels.
All key developments will be covered here.
It is Tuesday, 19 May 2026. This is Jakub Krupa with Europe Live.
