The Danish People’s Party (DF) has experienced a significant recovery after facing near-collapse in 2022. Under the leadership of Morten Messerschmidt, the party has stabilized and is showing an upward trend in polls, averaging around 5.5 percent, a notable improvement from the 2.6 percent it barely secured in the last election. This resurgence is pivotal for the unity of the blue bloc (center-right parties) in Danish politics.

Messerschmidt emphasizes the importance of DF as a national conservative force distinct from the liberal foundations of other parties in the bloc. He believes DF plays a crucial role in attracting voters from the Social Democrats, a task that other blue bloc parties struggle with, potentially influencing the outcome of future elections. Election researcher Kasper Møller Hansen supports this view, noting that DF’s appeal extends across the political spectrum, drawing in voters from both the red and blue blocs.

DF’s current strategy involves active participation in blue unity initiatives, a contrast to its earlier focus on internal recovery. Messerschmidt acknowledges that in the past, other parties in the blue bloc held meetings without DF, as he prioritized rebuilding the party’s identity. Now, he sees the necessity of collaboration to present a viable alternative to the current government, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Despite this cooperation, questions remain about DF’s true alignment within the blue bloc. While Messerschmidt identifies DF as a national conservative party, sources within DF acknowledge a less bourgeois orientation. Historically, DF has even considered potential collaboration with the Social Democrats, a notion that Messerschmidt distances himself from today, criticizing Frederiksen’s policies as a “bluff.” He points to disagreements on issues such as retirement age, where DF aligns more closely with parties on the left.

Ultimately, Messerschmidt views DF as a unique entity within the blue bloc, responsible for reaching out to Social Democrat voters based on shared values and concerns. He rejects the notion of a rigid red/blue political axis, arguing that DF can cooperate across the political spectrum while remaining firmly rooted in its national conservative principles.