folketing

The Folketing is the national legislature of Denmark. It is a unicameral assembly of 179 members who are elected to represent Denmark proper as well as the autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, each of which appoints two members. The parliament sits in Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

Members are elected for four-year terms through proportional representation in multi-member constituencies. Elections are typically held at four-year intervals, but the government can request dissolution of the Folketing and call early elections. The Prime Minister, usually the leader of the party or coalition with the strongest parliamentary support, forms the government and selects the cabinet; the Speaker presides over proceedings.

The Folketing's primary functions are to pass laws, approve the national budget, and oversee the government. Legislation is prepared by committees and debated in plenary sessions; members may question ministers and propose motions. The government remains accountable to the Folketing, and a vote of no confidence can force a resignation or a change in government arrangements.

Key powers include approving binding legislation, ratifying international agreements, and approving or withholding funding. The Folketing can initiate constitutional amendments with broad support and has the authority to scrutinize executive actions through inquiries and committee work.

Historically, the Folketing evolved from the constitutional reforms of 1849, which established parliamentarism in Denmark. The current unicameral system was introduced by the 1953 constitution, which also extended representation to the Greenlandic and Faroese seats. Today, the Folketing plays a central role in Danish politics, operating within a multi-party, coalition-driven framework.