Denmark

The Danish Parliament

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 53
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Number of written questions asked, per year
18,881 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
17,990 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
Figures are based on the parliamentary year that begins on the first Tuesday of October and ends on the same date the following year.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 51
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2021)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
Parliament may set up a parliamentary commission consisting of MPs to investigate matters of general importance, however, this option has not been used since the adoption of the current Constitutional Act in 1953. According to the Commissions of Inquiry and Commissions of Scrutiny Act, the Government may set up a commission of inquiry and must do so if Parliament passes a resolution to that effect. Under the same Act, Parliament may set up a commission of scrutiny on its own. The rules on the work and powers of commissions of inquiry and commissions of scrutiny are broadly similar. Both types of commission act independently and are typically headed by a judge.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Other (please specify)
Notes
The Constitutional Act of Denmark includes no provisions on the formation of a Government. The Danish system of government is known as negative parliamentarism, which means that the Government and the Head of Government may never have a majority against them in the Parliament, but it is not required to have the support of an actual majority.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Legal custom
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Notes
Constitutionally Denmark is a monarchy and succession to the throne is regulated by the Act of Succession.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Act of Succession & Constitution, Art. 9

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 16
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 15
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No