{{Infobox political party | country = Denmark | logo_size = 160 | colorcode = {{Political party data|color}} | abbreviation = ALT <br> Å{{efn|Official party letter on voting ballot}} | name = The Alternative | native_name = Alternativet | logo = Alternativet logo 2025 (cropped).svg | leader = Franciska Rosenkilde | founders = Uffe Elbæk<br>Josephine Fock | foundation = 27 November 2013 | split = Social Liberal Party | headquarters = | ideology = Green politics<br />Social liberalism<ref name="Nordsieck">{{Cite web|url=http://parties-and-elections.eu/denmark.html|title=Denmark|last=Nordsieck|first=Wolfram|date=2019|website=Parties and Elections in Europe}}</ref> | membership = {{decrease}} 1,331<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hoffmann-Hansen |first1=Henrik |last2=Nilsson |first2=Simone |last3=Jespersen |first3=Johan Storgaard |last4=Krasnik |first4=Benjamin |last5=Fabricius |first5=Kitte |last6=Schmidt |first6=Mara Malene Raun |last7=Gosmann |first7=Mie Borggreen Winther og Sara Mathilde |date=2022-10-03 |title=Overblik: Partierne i Danmark |url=https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/politik-begyndere/overblik-partierne-i-danmark |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Kristeligt Dagblad |language=da}}</ref> | membership_year = 2022 | position = {{Nowrap|Centre-left<ref>{{cite web |url= https://europeelects.eu/european-union/denmark/ |title= Denmark |website= Europe Elects |access-date= 23 August 2019}}</ref> to left-wing<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.altinget.dk/artikel/det-nye-politiske-kompas|title=Her er det nye politiske kompas|last=Lange|first=Lasse|date=26 September 2016|work=Altinget|access-date=23 August 2019|language=da}}</ref>}} | international = | affiliation1_title = Nordic affiliation | affiliation1 = Nordic Green Left Alliance | europarl = | youth_wing = Alternativets Unge | colours = {{ublist|class=nowrap| | {{color box|#00D564}} Bright green<ref>[https://alternativet.dk Alternativet Official Website]</ref> (official) | {{color box|{{Political party data|color}}}} Green<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oversigt over Folketingssalen |url=https://www.ft.dk/da/folketingssalen/salsoversigten |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=Folketinget |language=da}}</ref> (customary) }} <!-- Values obtained from Wikidata; to edit, see https://www.wikidata.org/ -->| seats1_title = Folketing | seats1 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house}}{{Efn|Only 175 of the 179 seats in the Danish Parliament, the Folketing, are obtainable by Danish political parties as Greenland and the Faroe Islands are assigned two seats each due to their status as territories in the Kingdom of Denmark.}} | seats2_title = European Parliament | seats2 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|EP}} | seats3_title = Regional councils | seats3 = {{Composition bar|0|205|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | seats4_title = Municipal councils<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alternativet.dk/personer/byradsmedlemmer|title=Byrådsmedlemmer|access-date=20 September 2024}}</ref> | seats4 = {{Composition bar|7|2436|hex={{Political party data|color}}}} | website = {{hlist|{{Political party data|website}}|[https://alternativet.dk/en/ alternativet.dk/en]}} | symbol = }} '''The Alternative''' ({{langx|da|Alternativet}}) is a green and pro-European<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berlingske.dk/content/item/27072|title=Alternativet vil have profil som spidskandidat til EU-Parlamentet|date=16 January 2018|website=Berlingske.dk}}</ref> political party in Denmark.<ref name="Nordsieck" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bale |first=Tim |title=Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right in crisis |date=2021 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |others=Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser |isbn=978-1-009-00686-6 |location=Cambridge, United Kingdom |pages=36 |oclc=1256593260}}</ref> The party was publicly launched on 27 November 2013 by former Minister of Culture Uffe Elbæk and Josephine Fock; Elbæk had been a parliamentarian for the Social Liberal Party.<ref name=ElbaekStifterNytParti>{{cite web|last1=Holm|first1=Line|title=Uffe Elbæk stifter nyt parti|url=http://www.b.dk/nationalt/uffe-elbaek-stifter-nyt-parti|website=Berlingske|date=27 November 2013|access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cphpost.dk/news14/politics-news14/uffe-elbaek-starts-new-political-party.html|title=The Copenhagen Post - Danish News in English|website=cphpost.dk}}</ref> Elbæk was the leader of the party until February 2020, where he stepped down and was succeeded by Fock. Currently the party is led by Franciska Rosenkilde. The Alternative regards itself as a political movement and a cultural voice, as well as a political party.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://alternativet.dk/en/about-us/what-is-the-alternative |title= What is The Alternative? |website= alternativet.dk |publisher= The Alternative (Denmark) |access-date= 19 September 2024}}</ref> The party is critical of economic growth, which it views as unsustainable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alternativet |first=Skrevet af: Franciska Rosenkilde Politisk leder i |date=2022-10-08 |title=Vækstkritik er en hjørnesten i Alternativet. Det er nødvendigt for at løse klimakrisen |url=https://www.information.dk/debat/2022/10/vaekstkritik-hjoernesten-alternativet-noedvendigt-loese-klimakrisen |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=Information |language=da}}</ref>
== History == [[File:Rune WIngård (forrest) og Uffe Elbæk fra "Alternativet" samler underskrifter (15103756007).jpg|thumb|right|Top candidates Rune Wingård (right) and Uffe Elbæk (left) gathering signatures in Copenhagen, 19 September 2014.]]
=== Founding === The Alternative was launched on 27 November 2013 by Uffe Elbæk and Josephine Fock, at a press conference at Christiansborg, the seat of the Folketing, the Danish parliament.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Hoyer|first=Sofie Buch|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art5485539/Elb%C3%A6ks-parti-%C3%B8nsker-politiske-laboratorier-og-Thorning-som-statsminister|title=Elbæks parti ønsker politiske laboratorier og Thorning som statsminister|date=27 November 2013|work=Politiken|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> Other founders include Niko Grüfeld,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Ringberg|first=Jens|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/webfeature/alternativet|title=Historien om Alternativet – Det grønne parti, der ville ændre kulturen på Christiansborg|work=DR|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> Torsten Gejl,<ref name=":0" /> and Rasmus Nordqvist.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Søe|first=Birgitte|url=https://www.altinget.dk/artikel/overblik-disse-profiler-har-forladt-alternativet-midt-i-krisen|title=Overblik: Disse profiler har forladt Alternativet midt i krisen|date=10 March 2020|work=Altinget|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> The Alternative supported Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the incumbent prime minister from the Social Democrats, but considered itself both left- and right-wing.<ref name=":0" /> The party emphasized the wish for a new political culture, serious climate change mitigation, and entrepreneurship. It did not have a full political agenda, but would instead develop it in "political laboratories" in cooperation with the Danish people.<ref name=":0" /> The new party had been planned for two months;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maach|first=Maja Lærke|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art5485494/Uffe-Elb%C3%A6k-om-nyt-parti-Vi-er-som-de-radikale.-Bare-mere-r%C3%B8dt-og-iv%C3%A6rks%C3%A6tter-agtigt|title=Uffe Elbæk om nyt parti: Vi er som de radikale. Bare mere rødt og iværksætter-agtigt|date=27 November 2013|work=Politiken|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> Elbæk left the Social Liberal Party on 17 September 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Juul|first=Laura|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/uffe-elbaek-bryder-med-de-radikale|title=Uffe Elbæk bryder med De Radikale|date=17 September 2013|work=DR|access-date=10 March 2020|agency=Ritzau|language=da}}</ref>
The party's name was approved by the Danish Electoral Commission under the Ministry of Economy and the Interior, taking effect on 18 December 2013.<ref name=Valgnaevnet17Dec2012>{{cite web|title=Oversigt (i alfabetisk rækkefølge) over godkendte partinavne og formularer i henhold til folketingsvalglovens § 12, stk. 2|url=http://valg.oim.dk/media/745045/godkendte_partinavne_hjemmesiden_alfabetisk__17.12.2014.pdf|publisher=Valgnævnet|access-date=13 June 2015|archive-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106180611/http://valg.oim.dk/media/745045/godkendte_partinavne_hjemmesiden_alfabetisk__17.12.2014.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the beginning of 2015 the party worked on gathering the 20,260 signatures required to run for Parliament, which it succeeded in doing on 23 February 2015.<ref name=AlternativetUnderskrifter>{{cite web|last1=Søe|first1=Carl-Emil|title=Alternativet har samlet støtte nok til et folketingsvalg|url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2015/02/23/143958.htm|website=DR.dk Politik|date=23 February 2015|access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> The party aims to crowdsource policies through what it calls "political laboratories".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2015/10/i-wont-do-forever-meet-alternative-leader-uffe-elb-k-denmarks-jeremy-corbyn|title="I won't do this forever": meet Alternative leader, Uffe Elbæk – Denmark's Jeremy Corbyn|website=www.newstatesman.com|date=8 October 2015}}</ref>
The party obtained ballot access for the 2015 general election with the party letter Å on the electoral lists on 13 March 2015.<ref name=ListeAA>{{cite web|last1=Redder|first1=Hans|title=Alternativet har fået sit bogstav: Nu kan du sætte kryds ved liste Å|url=http://politik.tv2.dk/2015-03-13-alternativet-har-faaet-sit-bogstav-nu-kan-du-saette-kryds-ved-liste-aa|website=TV 2 Politik|access-date=13 June 2015|archive-date=2015-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144457/http://politik.tv2.dk/2015-03-13-alternativet-har-faaet-sit-bogstav-nu-kan-du-saette-kryds-ved-liste-aa|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 2015 election === In the general election on 18 June 2015, The Alternative received 4.8% of the vote, electing nine MPs and making it the sixth-largest party in the Folketing.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Historisk DF-valg sikrer blå blok sejren|url = http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/valg2015/historisk-df-valg-sikrer-blaa-blok-sejren|website = DR|date = 18 June 2015|access-date = 2015-11-03}}</ref> In a famous interview on election night, Elbæk tried to speak, but instead ended up saying "{{Not a typo|Jamenahrmendedevadvadee}} … man, this is crazy!"<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Skov|first=Signe|url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/politik/valg19/uffe-lover-der-kommer-mere-crazy/7654804|title=Uffe lover: Der kommer mere 'crazy'|date=2 June 2019|work=Ekstra Bladet|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref>
The party supported the re-election of Social Democrat leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt as Prime Minister.<ref name="UgebrevetA4Naivt">{{cite web|last1=Redder|first1=Gitte|title=Vi er ikke naive. Det er naivt ikke at gøre det|url=http://www.ugebreveta4.dk/vi-er-ikke-naive-det-er-naivt-ikke-at-goere-det_13970.aspx|website=Ugebrevet A4|access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> The party was part of the opposition to the third government of Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
=== 2019 election === In the 2019 general election, The Alternative decided to support their own leader, Uffe Elbæk, for prime minister rather than support the Social Democrat leader, as they had done in 2015, due to what they called insufficient ambition in plans to deal with climate change.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art6604931/Uffe-Elb%C3%A6k-vil-selv-v%C3%A6re-statsminister|title=Vil ikke støtte Mette Frederiksen: Uffe Elbæk vil selv være statsminister|date=2018-06-26|website=Politiken|language=da-DK|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref> The party won a reduced five seats and went into opposition after Social Democrat leader Mette Frederiksen became prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dst.dk/valg/Valg1684447/valgopg/valgopgHL.htm|title=Resultater - Hele landet - Folketingsvalg onsdag 5. juni 2019 - Danmarks Statistik|website=www.dst.dk|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlingske.dk/content/item/1376155|title=På en varm dag i juni blev Danmark malet rødt: Nu venter benhårde forhandlinger|last=Kildegaard|first=Kasper|date=2019-06-06|website=Berlingske.dk|language=da|access-date=2019-08-21}}</ref>
=== 2020 leadership crisis === In December 2019, Elbæk announced that he would stand down as political leader of The Alternative.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2019-12-16-uffe-elbaek-stopper-som-politisk-leder-for-alternativet|title=Uffe Elbæk stopper som politisk leder for Alternativet|last1=Stie|first1=Hans-Henrik|date=16 December 2019|work=TV2|access-date=16 December 2019|last2=Nielsen|first2=Rasmus Dam|language=da|last3=Redder|first3=Hans}}</ref> There were six candidates to succeed him, including Rasmus Nordqvist, Josephine Fock and Theresa Scavenius. Only Nordqvist was member of the Folketing, and all five members of the Folketing, including Elbæk, supported him.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sommerand|first1=Malthe|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/kandidaterne-til-alternativets-lederpost-vil-ikke-snakke-om-floejkrig-men-saa-er-der|title=Kandidaterne til Alternativets lederpost vil ikke snakke om fløjkrig. Men så er der jo altid Uffe Elbæk|date=2 February 2020|work=DR|access-date=9 March 2020|last2=Oldager|first2=Mathias|language=da}}</ref> On an extraordinary congress on 1 February 2020, Josephine Fock was elected as the new political leader.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2020-02-01-alternativet-gaar-til-landsmoede-hvem-bliver-uffe-elbaeks-arvtager|title=Alternativet går til landsmøde - hvem bliver Uffe Elbæks arvtager?|last=Westersø|first=Rikke Struck|date=1 February 2020|work=TV 2|access-date=1 February 2020|language=da}}</ref> Nordqvist subsequently resigned as political spokesperson, and was replaced by Torsten Gejl.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sommerand|first=Malthe|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/torsten-gejl-er-ny-politisk-ordfoerer-i-alternativet|title=Torsten Gejl er ny politisk ordfører i Alternativet|date=4 February 2020|work=DR|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref>
Three weeks later, ''Information'' published an article where anonymous sources accused Fock of verbally abusing and in some cases physically shaking party members and employees while she was a member of the Folketing from 2015 to 2018, during which she was temporarily leader of the parliamentary group.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bahn|first1=Martin|url=https://www.information.dk/indland/2020/02/portraet-josephine-fock-alternativet-slaeber-spor-konflikter|title=Portræt af Josephine Fock fra Alternativet: »Hun slæber et spor af konflikter efter sig|date=22 February 2020|work=Information|access-date=9 March 2020|last2=Dahlin|first2=Ulrik|language=da}}</ref> Fock said she did not recognize the descriptions of her, and categorically denied the accusations of shaking people, but said she was not "the best version of herself" in that period.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jørgensen|first=Lars Bach|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2020-02-22-alternativets-hovedbestyrelse-indkalder-josephine-fock-til-moede|title=Alternativets hovedbestyrelse indkalder Josephine Fock til møde|date=22 February 2020|work=TV 2|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.berlingske.dk/politik/fock-jeg-har-ikke-rusket-i-nogen|title=Fock: Jeg har ikke rusket i nogen|date=26 February 2020|work=Berlingske|access-date=9 March 2020|agency=Ritzau|language=da}}</ref> After a meeting with Fock, the central board said they had full confidence in her, while inviting the anonymous sources to contact the central board.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/alternativet-star-bag-josephine-fock-trods-anklager|title=Alternativet står bag Josephine Fock trods anklager|date=25 February 2020|work=DR|access-date=9 March 2020|agency=Ritzau|language=da}}</ref>
Magnus Haslebo, a former press officer in the Folketing, and Fanny Broholm, leader of the party's group on the Copenhagen city council, publicly supported the accusations of aggressive behavior, with Haslebo saying he had also heard rumors about the shaking.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Tofte|first=Line Rønn|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/tidligere-pressechef-staar-frem-fock-kan-raabe-saa-man-kan-smage-hvad-hun-har-faaet|title=Tidligere pressechef står frem: Fock kan råbe, så man kan smage, hvad hun har fået til frokost|date=26 February 2020|work=DR|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bahn|first1=Martin|url=https://www.information.dk/indland/2020/02/fremtraedende-alternativet-medlem-skinproces-bag-stoette-josephine-fock|title=Fremtrædende Alternativet-medlem: Skinproces bag støtte til Josephine Fock|date=29 February 2020|work=Information|access-date=9 March 2020|last2=Geist|first2=Anton|last3=Rosendahl|first3=Natalie Barrington}}</ref> On 28 February, Niko Grünfeld, co-founder and former mayor in Copenhagen, left the party, saying that "the party's soul has been eaten away from within".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hvemon|first=Sofie|url=https://www.altinget.dk/navnenyt/niko-grunfeld-forlader-alternativet|title=Niko Grünfeld forlader Alternativet|date=28 February 2020|work=Altinget|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302094157/https://www.altinget.dk/navnenyt/niko-grunfeld-forlader-alternativet|url-status=dead}}</ref> After Elbæk said he would tell the central board what he knew, the central board said their support for Fock were only provisional, with more talks to be held.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mansø|first=Rikke Gjøl|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/alternativets-hovedbestyrelse-afgoer-foerst-focks-fremtid-efter-hemmelige-samtaler|title=Alternativets hovedbestyrelse afgør først Focks fremtid efter hemmelige samtaler|date=28 February 2020|work=DR|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> On 7 March, a slim majority in the central board gave Fock their support, with ten voting for and seven against.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art7695626/Der-er-ikke-fundet-dokumentation-for-ruskeri|title=Spinkelt flertal bakker op om Fock: Der er ikke fundet dokumentation for ruskeri|date=7 March 2020|work=Politiken|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> Following the decision, the party's local branch in Elbæk's constituency demanded that he publicly express full support of Fock, or they would withdraw their support of Elbæk.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art7695680/Baglandet-truer-Elb%C3%A6k-p%C3%A5-hans-politiske-liv-og-Fock-siger-at-Alternativet-er-i-krise|title=Baglandet truer Elbæk på hans politiske liv, og Fock siger, at Alternativet er i krise|date=7 March 2020|work=Politiken|access-date=9 March 2020|agency=Ritzau|language=da}}</ref> [[File:Torsten Gejl (54976136110).jpg|thumb|Torsten Gejl in 2025, the party's only PM following the leadership crisis]] On 9 March, Uffe Elbæk left the party, saying he "no longer recognized" the party he founded. He was followed by three other member of the Folketing: Rasmus Nordqvist, Susanne Zimmer, and Sikandar Siddique.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Christensen|first=Maiken Brusgaard|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2020-03-09-uffe-elbaek-forlader-alternativet-nu-har-partiet-kun-et-folketingsmedlem-tilbage|title=Uffe Elbæk forlader Alternativet - nu har partiet kun ét folketingsmedlem tilbage|date=9 March 2020|work=TV 2|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> The fifth and last member of the Folketing, Torsten Gejl, decided to stay after some days of thought.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Skærbæk|first=Morten|url=https://politiken.dk/indland/politik/art7701099/Sidste-alternativist-i-Folketinget-har-besluttet-sig|title=Jeg sidder med nøglen: Sidste alternativist i Folketinget har besluttet sig|date=12 March 2020|work=Politiken|access-date=12 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> Nordqvist subsequently joined the Socialist People's Party.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/rasmus-nordqvist-melder-sig-ind-i-sf-jeg-har-mere-byde-paa|title = Rasmus Nordqvist melder sig ind i SF: 'Jeg har mere at byde på'|date = 12 May 2020}}</ref> Political analysts called the departures the death of The Alternative.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Korsgaard|first=Kristine|url=https://www.altinget.dk/artikel/holstein%C2%A0det-er-den-definitive-begravelse-af-alternativet|title=Holstein: Det er den definitive begravelse af Alternativet|date=9 March 2020|work=Altinget|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mylenberg|first=Troels|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2020-03-09-fra-craaaaazy-til-bummer-alternativet-sejrede-og-begik-selvmord|title=Fra "craaaaazy" til "bummer" - Alternativet sejrede og begik selvmord|date=9 March 2020|work=TV 2|access-date=9 March 2020|language=da}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Mogensen|first=Lars Trier|url=https://www.information.dk/indland/2020/03/alternativet-doedt-kun-kortvarigt-vakle-videre-livloest-projekt|title=Alternativet er dødt og vil kun kortvarigt vakle videre som et livløst projekt|date=10 March 2020|work=Information|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gjertsen|first=Marchen Neel|author-link=Marchen Neel Gjertsen|url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/premium/indland/marchen/ECE11994172/alternativet-er-reelt-doedt-nu/|title=Alternativet er reelt dødt nu|date=9 March 2020|work=Jyllands-Posten|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Thomas Funding|url=https://jv.dk/artikel/funding-alternativet-er-afg%C3%A5et-ved-d%C3%B8den|title=Funding: Alternativet er afgået ved døden|date=9 March 2020|work=JydskeVestkysten|access-date=10 March 2020|language=da}}</ref> In her reactions, Fock said she was saddened by the departures, but that it was a "new beginning" for The Alternative.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2020-03-09-josephine-fock-efter-flugt-fra-partiet-alternativet-bestar|title=Josephine Fock efter flugt fra partiet: Alternativet består|date=9 March 2020|work=TV 2|access-date=9 March 2020|agency=Ritzau|language=da}}</ref>
Elbæk, Siddique and Zimmer would later form a new political party, the Independent Greens, with Siddique as leader. On 14 November 2020, Fock stepped down as leader of The Alternative.<ref>[https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/josephine-fock-traekker-sig-som-politisk-leder-i-alternativet ''Josephine Fock trækker sig som politisk leder i Alternativet,,, dr.dk, 14.11.2020'']</ref> On 7 February 2021, the party announced that Mayor of Culture and Leisure in Copenhagen Franciska Rosenkilde as their new leader.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-07|title=Franciska Rosenkilde er ny politisk leder for Alternativet - TV 2|url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2021-02-07-franciska-rosenkilde-er-ny-politisk-leder-for-alternativet|access-date=2021-02-23|website=nyheder.tv2.dk|language=da-DK}}</ref>
Ahead of the 2022 Danish general election, Franciska Rosenkilde offered the Independent Greens and The Vegan Party a chance to form a united list to increase the chances of green representation in the Folketing, as all three parties were polling below the threshold.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-26 |title=Alternativet inviterer Frie Grønne og Grøn Alliance ind i partiet - TV 2 |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-08-26-alternativet-inviterer-frie-gronne-og-gron-alliance-ind-i-partiet |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=nyheder.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> Siddique dismissed the plan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-30 |title=Frie Grønne-leder afviser at indgå i Alternativet - TV 2 |url=https://nyheder.tv2.dk/politik/2022-08-30-frie-gronne-leder-afviser-at-indga-i-alternativet |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=nyheder.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> Elbæk later called for the Independent Greens and Alternative to merge,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uffe Elbæk: Frie Grønne og Alternativet bør slå sig sammen |url=https://www.avisen.dk/uffe-elbaek-frie-groenne-og-alternativet-boer-slaa-s_702813.aspx |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.avisen.dk}}</ref> and eventually rejoined the old party,<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1571794941021396995|user=uffeelbaek|title=Okay….så er jeg virkelig tilbage på mit gamle hold. Det her er det første synlige bevis. Har nemlig været i DR og fortælle om min beslutning om at komme tilbage til @alternativet_ og hvorfor det er så vigtigt, at der er en klar grøn stemme i Folketinget. Også efter næste valg.|access-date=2022-09-19|language=da-DK|website=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Uffe Elbæk har meldt sig ud af Frie Grønne, som han selv stiftede: Nu vil han tilbage i Alternativet {{!}} Seneste nyt |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/uffe-elbaek-har-meldt-sig-ud-af-frie-groenne-som-han-selv-var-med-til-starte |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=DR |date=16 September 2022 |language=da-DK}}</ref> reducing the number of sitting FG MPs to two.
In the general election of 1 November 2022, the Alternative received 3.3% of the vote, up from 3.0% in 2019, securing 6 mandates in the Folketing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Valgresultater |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/folketingsvalg/resultater |access-date=2022-11-01 |publisher=DR}}</ref>
== Parliamentary representation ==
=== 2015 === The members of Parliament from 2015 and their spokesperson assignments: * Uffe Elbæk: Leader of the Alternative *Josephine Fock: Political group leader of the Alternative. Spokeswoman for finance and economy, employment policy, constitution and legal policy *Rasmus Nordqvist: Political Spokesman for the Alternative. Spokesman for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Entrepreneurship, Ethical Consumerism, Business, Trade, Art, and Culture *René Gade: Spokesman for Defense, Taxes, and Digital Constitutional Rights. *Torsten Gejl: Spokesman for Domestic Policy, Pattern Breaking and Social Affairs *Roger Matthisen: Spokesman for Cities and Residences, Rural Districts, Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland *Ulla Sandbæk: Spokesman for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Naturalisation, Integration and Development *Carolina Magdalene Maier: Spokesman for Health, Psychiatry, Equal Rights, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Education, Research, Schools, and Youth Education Programs *Christian Poll: Spokesman for Environment, Climate, Energy, Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Fisheries, Food, and Transport
=== 2019 === The following members were elected to the Folketing in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.dk/searchResults.aspx?sortedDescending=false&party={A302A5DD-15DC-4F87-990C-370F00BBE6B3}|title=Find et medlem|date=16 December 2019|website=Folketinget|language=da|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>
* Uffe Elbæk (left the party in March 2020) * Torsten Gejl * Rasmus Nordqvist (left the party in March 2020) * Sikandar Siddique (left the party in March 2020) * Susanne Zimmer (left the party in March 2020)
=== 2022 === The following members were elected in 2022.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=alternativet_ |number=1587831329319632896 |title=Vi jubler så højt vi kan. Enmandshæren er genvalgt. Tillykke til Torsten Gejl - uden dig, intet Alternativ 💚🌱}}, {{Cite tweet |user=alternativet_ |number=1587906724958281728 |title=Så kom de sidste to medlemmer af Folketinget i hus. Det er vores allesammens @FranciskaRosenk og @OlumekoC - to stærke kvinder med klima, natur og det sociale som mærkesager.}}, {{Cite tweet |user=alternativet_ |number=1587833810019827715 |title=Endnu et medlem af Folketinget er på plads! Vores udlændinge- og integrationsordfører Helene Liliendahl Brydensholt, Alternativet har fået et flot valg i Nordsjælland! 💚🌱💚 #fv22 #dkpol}}, {{Cite tweet |user=alternativet_ |number=1587826801342091264 |title=Så er andet folketingsmedlem valgt! Sascha Faxe er valgt i Sjællands storkreds. Hun er en klimakriger, med er stort socialt hjerte ♥️💚 #dkpol #fv22}}, {{Cite tweet |user=alternativet_ |number=1587814305566703617 |title=Tillykke til @TScavenius med et flot valg i Nordjylland. Hun kommer i Folketinget 💚🌱 #dkpol #fv22}}</ref>
* Franciska Rosenkilde: Political leader * Torsten Gejl: Political spokesperson * Helene Liliendahl Brydensholt * Sascha Faxe * Christina Olumeko * Theresa Scavenius (left the party in september 2023)
=== 2026 === The following members were elected in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hvem er valgt? Se valgte kandidater og personlige stemmer |url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/folketingsvalg/resultater/valgte |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=DR |language=da-DK}}</ref>
* Franciska Rosenkilde: Political leader * Torsten Gejl * Signe Wenneberg * Elise Sydendal * Anna Bjerre
== Election results == === Parliament === {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" |- ! Election ! Leader ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/- ! Government |- ! 2015 | rowspan="2" |Uffe Elbæk | 168,788 | 4.8 (#6) | {{Composition bar|9|179|{{Political party data|color}}}} | ''New'' | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2019 | 104,148 | 3.0 (#8) | {{Composition bar|5|179|{{Political party data|color}}}} | {{decrease}} 4 | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2022 | rowspan="2"| Franciska Rosenkilde | 117,567 | 3.3 (#11) | {{Composition bar|6|179|{{Political party data|color}}}} | {{increase}} 1 | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2026 | 91,770 | 2.6 (#11) | {{Composition bar|5|179|{{Political party data|color}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 | {{TBA}} |}
===Local elections=== {| |valign="top"| ;Municipal elections {| class="wikitable" width="250px" style="text-align: center" !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Leader !colspan="2"|Seats |- ! # ! ± |- ! 2017 |Uffe Elbæk | {{Composition bar|20|2432|{{Political party data|color}}}} |''New'' |- ! 2021 |Franciska Rosenkilde | {{Composition bar|5|2436|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{decrease}} 15 |- ! 2025 |Franciska Rosenkilde | {{Composition bar|7|2432|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{Increase}} 2 |}
|width="33"| |valign="top"| ;Regional elections {| class="wikitable" width="280px" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !colspan="2"|Seats |- ! # ! ± |- ! 2017 | {{Composition bar|3|205|{{Political party data|color}}}} |''New'' |- ! 2021 | {{Composition bar|0|205|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{decrease}} 3 |- ! 2025 | {{Composition bar|0|205|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{Steady}} 0 |}
|width="33"| |valign="top"| ;Mayors {| class="wikitable" width="280px" style="text-align: center" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !colspan="2"|Seats |- !No. !± |- !2017 |{{composition bar|1|98|{{Political party data|color}}}} |''New'' |- !2021 |{{composition bar|0|98|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{decrease}} 1 |- !2025 |{{composition bar|0|98|{{Political party data|color}}}} |{{Steady}} 0 |} |}
===European Parliament=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! Year ! List leader ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/– ! EP Group |- ! 2019 | Rasmus Nordqvist | 92,964 | 3.37 (#9) | {{Composition bar|0|14|{{Political party data|color}}}} | New | rowspan=2| – |- ! 2024 | Jan Kristoffersen | 65,228 | 2.66 (#11) | {{Composition bar|0|15|{{Political party data|color}}}} | {{Steady}} 0 |- |}
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://alternativet.dk Official site in Danish and English] {{commons category|Alternativet}} {{Danish political parties}} {{Portal bar|Denmark|Ecology|Environment|Renewable energy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alternative}} Category:Political parties established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in Denmark Category:Green political parties in Denmark Category:Nordic Green Left Alliance Category:Political parties supporting universal basic income Category:Progressive parties Category:Pro-European political parties in Denmark Category:Social liberal parties