The Social Democrats initiated a publicity stunt at a convention held by several center-right parties to highlight the perceived lack of a clear prime ministerial candidate from that political wing. The ruling party deployed a truck with a banner to the entrance of Messe C in Fredericia, where the Liberal Alliance, the Denmark Democrats, the Danish People’s Party, and the Conservatives were holding a joint event.

The banner on the truck read: “Honk if you see a blue prime ministerial candidate.” The implication was that, unlike the current Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has already announced her candidacy for the next election, the center-right bloc lacks a consensus candidate.

The convention, attended by an estimated 700-800 participants from the four parties, aimed to showcase unity and present a joint political project. However, the Social Democrats’ gimmick appeared to have little impact on the party leaders or attendees.

While the Conservatives and the Danish People’s Party have expressed their preference for Venstre’s chairman, Troels Lund Poulsen, as the center-right’s prime ministerial candidate, the Denmark Democrats and the Liberal Alliance have been less committal. Neither Inger Støjberg, chairman of the Denmark Democrats, nor Alex Vanopslagh, political leader of the Liberal Alliance, commented on their reluctance to fully endorse Poulsen before the convention.

Morten Messerschmidt, chairman of the Danish People’s Party, acknowledged the difficulty some parties might have in endorsing Poulsen but emphasized the need for Venstre to clarify its position. He stated that since the four parties agree on certain political issues, it is now up to Venstre to make a move and demonstrate a clear direction for the bloc.

Notably, Troels Lund Poulsen was not invited to the convention, despite its aim of potentially drawing him back into the center-right alliance. Instead, he was attending a town hall meeting in Vojens, relatively close to Fredericia, regarding the establishment of a Ukrainian defense company near Flyvestation Skrydstrup.