Government, Legislature

Legislative power in Denmark is vested jointly in the sovereign and in a unicameral legislature, called the Folketinget. The concurrence of sovereign and Folketinget is necessary for the enactment of legislation, a declaration of war, and the signing of a peace treaty. The legislative term is four years, but the sovereign may dissolve the Folketinget before the end of the term. The 179 members are popularly elected; the Faroe Islands and Greenland are each represented by two members. Elections are conducted chiefly on the basis of proportional representation. All Danish citizens over 18 years of age who are permanent residents are eligible to vote and to stand for election to the Folketinget. Measures passed by the legislature may be submitted to a referendum with the consent of one-third of the members; if at least 30 percent of the eligible voters disapprove the measure, it is defeated.