Russia May Interfere in Danish Election, Intelligence Warns of US-Created Vulnerabilities

In an unprecedented warning, Danish intelligence services have issued a stark alert about potential foreign interference in the upcoming March 24 general election, highlighting Russia as the primary threat while also noting concerns about U.S. involvement regarding Greenland.

The joint statement from PET police intelligence and FE military intelligence warned that the election campaign might become a target for disinformation and cyberattacks designed to “sow division, influence the public debate or to target candidates, parties or specific political programmes.”

While pointing to Russia as the main source of potential election interference, the intelligence agencies also raised concerns about how “the United States’ stated desire to take possession of Greenland has led to the spread of disinformation concerning the kingdom of Denmark,” which they fear could generate uncertainty as voters head to the polls.

The agencies further elaborated that “the attention paid by the United States” to Denmark has “created new international fault lines that foreign states like Russia and China could exploit for influence purposes,” signaling complex geopolitical tensions surrounding the Nordic nation.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the election on Thursday, emphasizing that Russia’s shadow represents one of Denmark’s greatest security challenges. She also specifically mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands regarding Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory that has become an unexpected focal point in international relations.

Political analysts suggest Frederiksen strategically chose the March 24 date to capitalize on her rising popularity, which has been bolstered by her firm rejection of Trump’s Greenland demands. The Arctic territory, rich in natural resources and strategically positioned, has become increasingly important as climate change opens new shipping routes and access to previously inaccessible minerals.

According to recent polling data from TV2, Frederiksen’s Social Democrat party currently leads with 21% of voter support. While this represents a 6.5 percentage point decline from their performance in the 2022 election, it still positions them as the frontrunner in a fragmented political landscape.

The Social Democrats have faced domestic challenges over the past year, suffering significant losses in municipal elections where they lost control of nearly half their municipalities, including the capital, Copenhagen. These local setbacks make the national security narrative particularly important for Frederiksen’s campaign strategy.

Denmark’s concerns about election interference reflect a broader pattern across Western democracies in recent years, where foreign disinformation campaigns have targeted electoral processes. What makes Denmark’s situation unique is the dual nature of the perceived threats—both from traditional adversaries like Russia and from a NATO ally in the United States.

The Greenland issue has created an unusual diplomatic tension between Denmark and the United States since 2019, when Trump first expressed interest in purchasing the territory. Denmark firmly rejected the proposition, with Frederiksen calling the idea “absurd.” Despite this rebuff, the U.S. has maintained strategic interest in the region, particularly as Arctic resources become more accessible and as Russia and China increase their presence in the far north.

Security experts note that Denmark’s forthcoming election represents a potential inflection point in Northern European politics, with implications for NATO solidarity, European Union cohesion, and Arctic governance at a time of heightened global tension.

As election day approaches, Danish authorities have indicated they will maintain heightened vigilance against both cyber threats and information warfare tactics that could undermine the democratic process.