Red-Green Alliance (Denmark)

Infobox_Political_Party
name_english = Red-Green Alliance
name_native = Enhedslisten - De Rød-Grønne
party_
leader = Collective leadership
colorcode = Red
foundation = 1989
headquarters = Studiestræde 24, 1
1455 København K
ideology = Socialism, leftist, environmentalism, anti-capitalism and marxism
international = European Anticapitalist Left
website = http://enhedslisten.dk
The Red-Green Alliance ("Enhedslisten, lit. Unity List") is a left-wing political party in Denmark.

History

The party was formed as an electoral alliance in 1989 by three left-wing parties, Left Socialists (VS), Communist Party of Denmark (DKP) and Socialist Workers Party (SAP). A fourth party, the Communist Workers Party (KAP), joined Enhedslisten in 1991. One year earlier the entrance of KAP was vetoed by DKP. KAP was dissolved in 1994.

Enhedslisten has since developed into an independent party based on individual membership. The founding parties have no official say within Enhedslisten. A majority of its currents members don't have a past in one of the founding parties. The party cooperates closely with the Socialist Youth Front.

The party entered Folketinget, the Danish parliament, for the first time in 1994. The party is generally considered the left-most party in parliament. The party has never obtained more than six out of the 179 seats in parliament. It has never sought to become part of any government coalition.

Ahead of the 2007 parliamentary election, the party enlisted Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a candidate who identifies herself as a Muslim and a socialist. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,2080453,00.html Feminist, socialist, devout Muslim: woman who has thrown Denmark into turmoil] , Guardian, May 16, 2007] She is endorsed by some imams, opposed by others (Such as those in Hizb-ut-Tahrir), wears an islamic headscarf and will not shake hands with men. [http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/251058:Kirke---tro--Imamer-anbefaler-Asmaa Imamer anbefaler Asmaa] , Kristeligt Dagblad, May 1, 2007] Along with her statements on politics and religion this made her the target of much criticism from across the political spectrum. Prominent left wing figures also cited her candidacy as a reason for withdrawing their support to the party. [http://information.dk/145342 Kære Asmaa] , Information, September 1, 2007] An anti-religious network was created within the party with the stated goal of turning the party into a solely atheist party with a materialist-marxist basis. [http://www.aalborg.dk/dansk/visiting/rundtiaalborg.aspx?ctrl=424&data=1%2C2504614%2C531 Religionskrig hos Enhedslisten] , aalborg.dk, September 20, 2007] During the elections, there was some speculation on whether her enlistment would attract voters to the party [http://politiken.dk/politik/article414858.ece Asmaa kan sprænge Enh's partiliste i København] , Politiken, November 2, 2007] or repel them. [http://politiken.dk/politik/article412913.ece Ekspert: Asmaa har skræmt marxisterne] , Politiken, November 1, 2007]

After the announcement of her candidacy, the party lost in the polls,Fact|date=November 2007 maybe as a result of the controversy. A number of polls put the party below the 2 per cent of the votes necessary for parliamentary representation, but it managed to secure 2.2 per cent in the election, down from 3.4 per cent in the 2005 parliamentary elections. Though not elected, Abdol-Hamid maintains that on balance, she has attracted voters to the party. The four seats to the party went to Frank Aaen, Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Line Barfod, and Per Clausen. Asmaa Abdol-Hamid was chosen as substitute for the frontrunner of Enhedslisten in parliament.

Policy

The party's objects clause may be summarized as:
* Creating a socialist Denmark and working for the spread of socialism internationally;
* Unite left-wing cooperation and left-wing representation in the struggle against capitalism.
* Improve the Danish welfare system.
* Ensure social justice.
* Spread social liberalism, empathy, and tolerance.The party opposes Danish membership of the European Union and NATO.

Organization

A unique organizational feature is that the party has no chairman, but is led by an executive committee consisting of 25 members. Also: The members of Parliament pay a part of their parliamentary salary to the party, such that their net income is comparable to that of a skilled worker.

The party is a founding member of "The European Anticapitalist Left" (EACL) , cooperates with a number of international organizations, including "The European Alliance of EU-critical Movements" (TEAM), and "The New European Left Forum" (NELF), and is an observer to the Party of the European Left

Relationship to Other Parties

Although the Unity List opposes many Social Democratic policies when the latter is in government, the two parties work well together in parliament, and the Red-Greens always support a centre-left government over a centre-right one.

References

ee also

* Politics of Denmark

External links

* [http://www.enhedslisten.dk/ Official website]
* [http://www.enhedslisten.dk/redgreen-alliance/ Official website]