Copenhagen - Denmark's anti-immigration Danish People's Party (DPP) became the second largest party in Thursday's general election as the centre-left government was ousted by the right-wing bloc.
The DPP stood to become the largest right-wing party for the first time with more than 21 percent of the vote -- a record score -- as the right-wing bloc secured 90 seats in parliament.
That compared to 85 for Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt's centre-left bloc, with 99 percent of votes counted.
The DPP, which backed right-wing governments between 2001 and 2011, has yet to say whether it would seek to join a right-wing government. It could opt to remain outside government and provide informal support to the right-wing bloc in parliament to pass legislation.
"We are not afraid of being in government if that position gives us the greatest political influence," DPP leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl told news agency Ritzau.
"It's not certain that they will give us the concessions needed," he added, referring to a potential right-wing coalition.
The DPP had campaigned on tighter immigration rules, higher pensions for low-income earners and more money for healthcare and the elderly.
After the first exit polls were released, Dahl, visibly moved, sang the Liverpool FC anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" as he took to the stage at a party event in the Danish parliament, cheered on by party workers and supporters.
"This election campaign has shown that we are a party that the others just can't avoid. We are a party to be taken seriously here in this country," he said.
AFP
