How a centrist experiment transformed into a Danish libertarian powerhouse

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2007, a group of defecting politicians launched a centrist party called New Alliance. Through rebranding, leadership shifts, and a modern social media surge, they evolved into the Liberal Alliance—a right-libertarian force now pushing for radical economic shifts and nuclear power.

The party's origins lie in a 2007 attempt to bridge social liberalism and social conservatism. Founded by Naser Khader, Anders Samuelsen, and Gitte Seeberg, the New Alliance initially sought a middle ground. However, internal friction led to rapid changes. After Seeberg left in 2008 to protest the party's rightward drift, the group rebranded as the Liberal Alliance, embracing classical liberal and right-libertarian principles. The party's initial momentum was massive, with 16,000 people registering as members within just days of its announcement. To even qualify for elections, the group had to collect over 19,000 signatures, a feat they achieved by June 2007.

The party's platform is defined by aggressive economic liberalism. Their proposals include replacing progressive income tax with a 40% flat-rate system, halving corporation tax, and introducing user charges for public healthcare. While they maintain a pragmatic, oppositional stance toward European integration, they are notable for being the most vocal proponents of nuclear power in Denmark. They also advocate for an ambitious environmental policy that rejects 'climate-nationalism' in favor of global solutions. Beyond tax reforms, the party has advocated for abolishing early retirement schemes and re-evaluating disability benefits. They also support ending the prohibition on foreigners purchasing holiday properties in the country.

The party's trajectory has been marked by both volatility and sudden growth. After periods of low parliamentary presence, the party saw a significant resurgence under Alex Vanopslagh, who leveraged platforms like TikTok to engage younger voters. This momentum helped them achieve 14 seats in the 2022 general election and even more significant gains in subsequent local elections. Today, the party remains a key player in the Danish centre-right, recently strengthened by the arrival of former New Right leader Pernille Vermund. This recent growth was bolstered by the 2024 election of Henrik Dahl to the European Parliament. The party's influence also extends to local governance, having secured its first mayoral position in Solrød Municipality.

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