politics. Social Democrats (Socialdemokraterne) - "A" Leader: Helle Thorning-Schmidt 2007 Results: 45 seats (-2); 25.2% If the Social Dems hope to return to power after 10 years in an unfamiliar role as opposition, Helle Thorning-Schmidt must convince voters that she can lead the country. Voter doubt contributed to her loss in 2007, but this time around most polls show the left-of-centre with a solid lead over the incumbents on the right. Still, doubt remains over their economic plan, which relies on lengthening the workday by 12 minutes, and most voters say they place more trust in the governments ability to run the economy. Expect the Social Dems to attack the Liberal-Conservative government for dismantling the welfare state. Key issues: economic growth, shoring up the welfare state Weakness: leadership; economic policy Socialist Peoples Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) "SF" Leader: Villy Svndal 2007 Results: 23 seats (+12); 13% Will the big winner in 2007 be able to repeat on September 15? The Socialist Peoples Party (SF) more than doubled its seats in the last election. And even though the party is poised to surpass the Danish Peoples Party as parliaments third largest, this time around, only cabinet seats will suffice. The SF replaces the Social Libs as the Social Dems coalition partner of choice and, should the two parties form a coalition government, Svndal is likely to become foreign minister, while his lieutenant, former Communist Party member Ole Sohn, will probably get the nod as finance minister. During the election, expectthe SF to attack the current governments record on welfare and its reliance on the Danish Peoples Party to narrowly pass legislation. Key issues: jobs, schools, healthcare, climate Weakness: economic policy; worries they would raise taxes Social Liberals (Det Radikale Venstre) "B" Leader: Margrethe Vestager 2007 Results: 9 seats (-8); 5.1% The centrist Social Libs may no longer be certain of getting cabinet seats should the left-of-centre win, but that doesnt mean the party will be without influence on a new government. Likely to play same role as kingmaker and key ally for a minority Soc Dem-Socialist Peoples Party minority coalition as Danish Peoples Party plays for the incumbent Liberal-Conservative coalition. After a disastrous 2007 election, the Social Libs reiterated their historic position as a centrist swing party when it broke with the opposition to pledge the decisive votes that helped kill the national early retirement plan. The blue bloc parties will seek to drive a wedge between the Social Libs and the rest of the left, while the Social Libs will seek to position itself as political bridge builders. Key issues: economy, education, immigration, ending political partisanship, congestion charge for Copenhagen Weaknesses: strained relationship with Social Dems and SF Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) "" Leader: Collective leadership Spokesperson: Johanne Schmidt Nielsen 2007 Results: 4 seats (-2); 2.2% Depending on how close the election is, the Red-Green Alliance may wind up with the final seats required for the left-of-centre to form a majority. Although the party, the furthest to the left of any party in parliament, often opposes Social Dem legislation, it would not withhold its