Nordic alert: Denmark flags U.S. and Russia as election interference threats

Denmark's intelligence services have issued a rare warning ahead of the nation’s March 24 general election, identifying a multi-front threat from foreign powers. In a formal assessment released Friday, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service stated that foreign interference is "highly likely." While Russia remains the top threat due to Denmark’s military support for Ukraine, the report also took the extraordinary step of naming the United States and China as potential sources of influence. This development highlights the rapid deterioration of traditional transatlantic norms as the "Greenland Crisis" continues to dominate Danish political discourse. The intelligence report suggests that the United States’ focus on Greenland has created "new international lines of conflict." These tensions are reportedly being exploited by adversaries to spread misinformation. Danish authorities are bracing for a range of "hybrid" tactics, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns designed to sway specific candidates or fracture public opinion. The warning follows a December report from the Defense Intelligence Service , which, for the first time in history, categorized the U.S. as a potential security risk to the Nordic kingdom. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the snap election earlier this week, a move widely seen as an attempt to consolidate power following a surge in the polls. Her popularity has spiked as she positioned herself as a defender of Danish sovereignty against Donald Trump’s renewed claims over Greenland. The upcoming ballot will serve as a critical test of voter sentiment regarding Denmark’s relationship with Washington. Analysts note that while the U.S. remains Denmark’s most important security ally through NATO, the "unpredictable" rhetoric coming from the White House has forced Copenhagen to establish what local media call a "night watch" to monitor American actions. For international investors, the Danish election is now a key barometer for European stability. A victory for Frederiksen’s center-left bloc would likely reinforce Denmark’s "strategic autonomy" within the EU and its firm rejection of any Arctic territorial negotiations.