Danish Intelligence Agencies Issue Stark Warning About Foreign Election Interference
Denmark's intelligence services have issued a joint warning about potential foreign interference in the country's upcoming general election scheduled for March 24. The PET police intelligence service and FE military intelligence stated that the election campaign could be targeted by disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks designed to sow division and influence public debate.
Russia Identified as Primary Threat
The intelligence agencies identified Russia as the main source of potential interference, particularly due to Denmark's support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. However, the warning also highlighted how other state actors could exploit recent geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Greenland.
The agencies specifically noted that "the United States' stated desire to take possession of Greenland has led to the spread of disinformation concerning the kingdom of Denmark, which could create uncertainty" ahead of the crucial election. This development has created what intelligence officials describe as "new international fault lines" that foreign powers like Russia and China could exploit for influence operations.
Prime Minister's Election Timing and Political Context
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the election on Thursday, citing Russia's shadow as one of Denmark's most significant threats. She also emphasized the importance of addressing US President Donald Trump's demands to control Greenland, an Arctic territory that remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Political experts suggest Frederiksen deliberately chose the March 24 election date as her popularity has increased in recent opinion polls, largely due to her firm rejection of Trump's Greenland ambitions. The prime minister was required to call an election before October 31, making the March timing strategically advantageous.
Current Political Landscape and Polling Data
According to a recent TV2 television poll, 21% of voters would support Frederiksen's Social Democrat party, which would place it in first position despite representing a 6.5 percentage point decline from the party's performance in the 2022 election. The Social Democrats experienced significant losses in last year's municipal elections, surrendering nearly half of the municipalities they controlled, including the capital city of Copenhagen.
The intelligence warning comes as Frederiksen campaigns at Nytorv in Aalborg, where concerns about foreign election interference have become a central theme of her campaign messaging. The agencies emphasized that interference attempts could target specific candidates, political parties, or particular policy programs through coordinated disinformation efforts.
The joint statement concluded by noting that while Russia represents the primary threat, "the threat of interference targeting Denmark could also emanate from other state actors" seeking to influence the democratic process through sophisticated information operations.
