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By Matthew Robinson and Brendan Cole
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Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has submitted her government's resignation after her left-wing coalition fell short of securing enough seats to form a government in Tuesday's election.
Her move will kick off negotiations on Wednesday to determine whether the next government will be formed by Frederiksen or another party leader.
Frederiksen's Social Democrats party won the most votes and secured only 38 seats in the country's 179-seat parliament, marking the party's worst result since 1903. The left-leaning "red bloc" won a total of 84 seats, six short of the 90 needed for a majority. Meanwhile, the right-leaning "blue bloc" won 77 seats.
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Frederiksen has been a firm opponent of President Donald Trump following his calls to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. Approval ratings for Frederiksen's former government surged in response to Trump's actions, and the timing of the snap election was seen as a way for it to capitalize on the swell of support.
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Frederiksen is viewed favorably by the EU for her stance on Greenland and efforts to increase Denmark's defence spending considering the security threat posed by Russia. In January, she warned that if President Donald Trump could enact a takeover of Greenland, that would in essence end NATO.
But domestically, some of her left-wing supporters in Denmark were frustrated with her tough immigration policy and others had concerns about his position on economic issues.
Support for the anti-immigration Danish People's Party, led by Morten Messerschmidt, surged to 9.1 percent, up nearly 7 percentage points compared with the last election.
On Wednesday, Frederiksen confirmed that she had submitted her government's resignation to the country's King Frederik, a step that sets in motion the formation of a new government.
Stressing the urgency of forming a new government, Frederiksen said: "the world is not waiting for us out there and it has only become more unsettled since the election was called. Denmark needs a stable government."
Frederiksen will continue as a caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed, and remains one of the frontrunners to secure the top role once again.
The Moderates Party of Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen could be kingmakers in coalition talks and as Denmark's biggest party, Frederiksen could still return for a third term as prime minister.
However, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has said that he and his Liberal party do not intend to go into government with Frederiksen 's Social Democrats again.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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