Folketing - definition of Folketing by The Free Dictionary Folketing - definition of Folketing by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Folketing (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the unicameral Danish parliament [Danish, from folk the people, folk + Old Norse thing assembly] Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: Write what you mean clearly and correctly. References in periodicals archive ? In the Folketing administration, a number of employees who must wear specific clothing or uniform in accordance with specific rules. QUIZ OF THE DAY A letter was addressed to all Members of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) and signed by 660 Israeli public figures calling upon them to vote in favor of Denmark recognizing the State of Palestine, not for the sake of Palestine, but for the sake of Israeli future and security. Copyright © 2003-2017 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only.

This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. EUROPA - Denmark | European Union website, the official EU website European Union website, the official EU website Denmark Overview: Denmark is the smallest as well as the most southerly and most low-lying of the three Scandinavian countries and consists of the peninsula of Jutland and an archipelago of more than 400 islands of which 72 are inhabited. Denmark borders Germany to the south, is connected to Sweden by a road and rail bridge and has a tidal coastline of 7 314 km. The most important sectors of Denmark’s economy in 2015 were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (23.1 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (18.8 %) and industry (18.7 %). Denmark’s main export partners are Germany, Sweden and the US, while its main import partners are Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Capital: Population as % of total EU: 1.1 % (2015) Seats in the European Parliament: 13 Yes, Schengen Area member since 25 March 2001. Presidency of the Council: Denmark has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1973 and 2012. Read more: Denmark in the EU European Parliament European Parliament office in Denmark Council of the EU In the Council of the EU , national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Danish government, depending on the policy area being addressed. Presidency of the Council of the EU The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months. During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Danish presidencies: European Commission The Commissioner nominated by Denmark to the European Commission is Margrethe Vestager , who is responsible for Competition. The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation". Commission representation in Denmark European Economic & Social Committee Denmark has 9 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee . This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries. Committee of the Regions Denmark has 9 representatives on the Committee of the Regions , the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU. Permanent representation to the EU Denmark also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Denmark's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU. Budgets and Funding How much does Denmark contribute and receive? Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means.

The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole. Breakdown of Denmark's finances with the EU in 2015: Total EU spending in Denmark: € 1.529 billion Total EU spending as % of Danish gross national income (GNI): 0.56 % Total Danish contribution to the EU budget: € 2.191 billion Danish contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.80 % More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending: Home / EU Information Centre - Home Brochure: Ask about the EU Danmark and the European Union Following a binding referendum on 2 October 1972 Denmark acceded, as the first Nordic country, to the European Community (EC) on 1 January 1973. 63,3% of the Danish population voted in favour and 36,7 voted against membership of the EC. Greenland joined the EC together with Denmark, whereas the Faroe Islands decided to stay outside the Community. In 1982 Greenland decided to leave the EC.

Denmark had already apllied for membership in 1961 and 1967 together with Great Britain, Norway and Ireland, but the French president at the time,Charles de Gaulle, vetoed British membership, and Denmark did not wish to enter the EC without Great Britain. However, on 1 January 1973 both Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain entered the EC. Denmark and the EU Facts about Denmark Denmark is a Constitutional monarchy and a modern democracy. The first Danish Constitution was signed on 5 June 1849 and has been amended three times since then. The political system is a multi-party structure where several parties are represented in the Danish parliament, the Folketing. 8 parties are currently represented in the Parliament. The Folketing has 179 members, 175 from Denmark and two each from the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Legislation governing elections to the European Parliament: By country (2) 1.

AUSTRIA (a) Legislation The Austrian Federation's Constitution of 1929 was amended in 1994 by federal law No 1013 and by the electoral law governing the election of Austrian representatives to the European Parliament, which was adopted by the national parliament on 26 January 1996. (b) Distribution of seats Austria has 21 seats. For the purposes of elections to the European Parliament, the federal territory forms a single constituency. (c) Electoral system Seats are allocated by proportional representation using the d'Hondt system (largest average). Voters have one vote which they may cast either for a list as a whole or for a candidate of their choice on the list. Lists which win less than 4% of the votes cast do not qualify for the allocation of seats. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Austrian citizens aged 18 years or over on 1 January of the year of the election. Austrians resident in one of the Member States of the Union may vote by proxy or by post. Nationals of other Member States ordinarily resident in Austria must be entered on an electoral register.

Anyone entitled to vote may stand as a candidate if they are aged 19 years or over on election day. (e) Nomination of candidates Nominations may be submitted by political parties which have the support of 5 members of the national parliament or 2 MEPs, or have obtained 2 600 signatures. (f) Allocation of seats Seats are allocated according to the number of preferential votes cast for the individual candidates. Candidates must have gained at least 7% of the total votes cast for their party. Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the same list. (g) Incompatibilities In addition to the incompatibilities laid down in the Electoral Act of 20 September 1976, a European mandate is incompatible with membership of the Cabinet, the office of judge in the Constitutional Court or the Administrative Court, President or Vice-President of the Court of Auditors or Ombudsman, and the post of manager of a partnership limited by shares, a private bank, a commercial, industrial or transport firm, a provincial credit institution or a mutual insurance company.

(h) Regulations concerning the election campaign By analogy with the rules applying to national elections, a ceiling of 130 million schillings is placed on the reimbursement of campaign expenses. (i) Validation of election results Following publication of the results in the 'Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung', complaints may be lodged with the Federal Constitutional Court. 2. BELGIUM (a) Legislation The elections to the European Parliament are governed by the law of 23 March 1989 as amended by that of 16 July 1993 on the federal structure of the State. The draft law implementing Council Directive 93/100/EC was adopted by the Senate on 9 March 1994 and by the Chamber of Representatives on 31 March 1994. The law officially entered into force on 26 April 1994 (Moniteur belge, 26.4.1994).

(b) Distribution of seats Under the new federal organization of the State, the elections to the European Parliament will be based on the following four constituencies: the Flemish electoral constituency comprising the administrative districts belonging to the Flemish region with the exception of Hal-Vilvorde; the Walloon electoral constituency comprising the administrative districts belonging to the Walloon region with the exception of municipalities in the German-speaking region; the Brussels-Hal-Vilvorde electoral constituency comprising the administrative districts of Brussels-Capital and Hal-Vilvorde; the German-speaking electoral constituency comprising the municipalities of the German-speaking region. There are three electoral colleges: French, Dutch and German-speaking and persons entered on the electoral roll of the Brussels-Hal-Vilvorde electoral constituency may opt for either the French-speaking electoral college or the Dutch-speaking electoral college. In the elections on 12 June 1994, of Belgium's 25 seats in the EP, 14 will be elected by the Dutch-speaking electoral college (Flanders + part of the Brussels region), 10 by the French-speaking electoral college (Wallonia + part of the Brussels region) and 1 by the German-speaking electoral college.

(c) Electoral system Each voter has one vote which he can give either to a list or to a candidate on the list. Vote-splitting is not permitted. Seats are allocated by proportional representation using the d'Hondt system. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election In addition to Belgian nationals aged 18 or over, the following are also entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament and may exercise their right to vote for candidates standing on Belgian lists: Belgian nationals who are resident in another Member State of the European Community. nationals of other Member States of the European Community who are aged 18 or over and ordinarily resident in Belgium and who have not been deprived of their right to vote in their home Member State. In order to stand as a candidate it is now necessary: to be entered on the Belgian electoral roll, to be over the age of 21 on the day of the election, to be French-speaking if standing for the French-speaking electoral college, German-speaking if standing for the German-speaking electoral college and Dutch-speaking if standing for the Dutch-speaking electoral college. Voting is compulsory and failure to do so carries a penalty. Voting by proxy and postal voting are allowed.

(e) Nomination of candidates Lists of candidates must be endorsed by at least five Belgian Members of Parliament belonging to the relevant linguistic group or by the signatures of at least 5000 voters registered on the relevant electoral roll (for the Walloon, Flemish or Brussels-Hal-Vilvorde constituencies); or 200 voters registered in the German-speaking constituency. Nominations must be submitted on the 58th or 57th day preceding the elections. (f) Allocation of seats Seats are allocated according to the criteria of proportional representation on the basis of the number of votes cast for individual lists and candidates. Vacant seats are filled by substitute candidates from the same list. There is no threshold clause. (g) Incompatibilities Membership of the European Parliament is incompatible with national public office or membership of a community or regional executive. The incompatibilities laid down in the Act of 20 September 1976 and in the Community directive of 6 December 1993 also apply. Membership of the European Parliament is also incompatible with the office of mayor, alderman or chairman of the CPAS (social aid centre) of a municipality with more than 50 000 inhabitants.

(h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special rules for the European elections. Various provisions of the electoral code also apply to elections to the European Parliament. (i) Validation of election results By the Council of State. The Chamber of Representatives rules on the validity of elections with regard to those elected and their substitutes and on any objections lodged pursuant to the electoral law. 3. DENMARK (a) Legislation The electoral law of 2 December 1977 was amended by new laws adopted by the Folketing on 22 June 1983, 7 December 1988 and 22 December 1993 (right to vote and to stand as a candidate for citizens of the Union). The provisions of Council Directive 93/100/EC were transposed into national law by an act of 4 March 1994. (b) Distribution of seats Denmark forms a single national constituency from which all 16 Members are elected. The seat which was allocated to Greenland under the previous legislation (Law No. 619 of 14 December 1977) has reverted to Denmark. The Faeroes and Greenland do not form a part of the constituency.

Voting takes place in the electoral districts used for elections to the Folketing. (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. Voters have one vote which they can give either to a list as a whole or to a candidate of their choice on the list. During counting, all votes cast for candidates and lists in the individual electoral districts are added together. Candidates with the most votes on the individual lists are elected. Seats are allocated to the individual lists using the d'Hondt system. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Citizens of the European Union aged 18 years or over and registered. The same conditions apply to eligibility for election. Danish citizens resident in another Member State of the EEC may vote at the Danish consulate or by post. Danish citizens resident outside the EEC are not entitled to vote. Nationals of other Member States of the European Community who wish to participate in the elections to the European Parliament must apply for entry on the electoral roll; applications must reach the local authority six weeks before the date of the elections. (e) Nomination of candidates Parties represented in the Folketing are entitled to submit lists of candidates.

Lists submitted by other parties must be supported by electors numbering at least 2% of valid votes cast at the last election. A list may contain a maximum of 20 candidates. Parties have the right to decide the order in which names appear on their list (party list). Lists may be linked. According to the number of votes which the individual candidates or lists obtain. Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the same list. There is no threshold clause. (g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the Act of 20 September 1976 and in Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special provisions for the European elections. (i) Validation of election results By the Danish Parliament. 4.

SPAIN (a) Legislation The organic law of 19 June 1985 on the general electoral system in Spain as supplemented and amended by the organic laws of 2 April 1987, 13 March 1991, 2 November 1992 and that of 30 March 1994 transposing the provisions of Council Directive 93/100/EC. The elections to the European Parliament are also governed by Royal decree No 421/1991 of 5 April 1991 on electoral procedures and by Royal decree No. 2118/1993 of 3 December 1993 (BOE No 290 of 4.12.1993). (b) Distribution of seats Constituencies: Spain forms a single national constituency for elections to the European Parliament. (c) Electoral system Proportional representation using the d'Hondt system, in accordance with the law on general electoral procedure. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election All citizens of the European Union aged 18 years or over and domiciled in Spain.

Under Spanish electoral law votes may be cast in person or by post. Proxy voting is not permitted. Spanish nationals resident abroad and entered on the special register of absentee nationals may vote only by post as the right to vote is personal and direct. (e) Nomination of candidates Lists of candidates may be submitted by parties, coalitions, federations and groups of voters who have collected the signatures of 15 000 registered voters or 50 elected representatives. When nominating candidates to the Central Electoral Board the parties, federations, coalitions and groups of voters can indicate the area in which they wish their voting slips to be distributed, provided this is smaller than the State as a whole and corresponds to the existing electoral districts in at least one Autonomous Community. (f) Allocation of seats In the order in which the candidates appear on the lists. For elections to the European Parliament there is no exclusion of candidates who do not obtain 3% of the vote. If a Member dies, is incapacitated or resigns, the seat will be filled by the next candidate on the list or, where applicable, the relevant substitute. (g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the Act of 20 September 1976.

A European mandate is incompatible with membership of the Cortes or the legislative assemblies of the Autonomous Communities. The same incompatibilities as laid down in the general electoral law. For membership of the Cortes and the legislative assemblies of the Autonomous Communities the mandate last achieved prevails. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign The State subsidizes election campaign expenses at a rate of 3 million pesetas for each seat obtained and 100 pesetas for each vote received. The maximum figure for campaign expenses which can be reimbursed is obtained by multiplying by 20 pesetas the number of people entitled to vote in the constituencies in which a party puts up candidates. (i) Validation of election results By the Central Electoral Board, after initial validation by the Regional Electoral Boards within 20 days of the elections. The Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction where the results are contested. 5. FINLAND (a) Legislation Law No 391/69 of 13 June 1969 concerning the election of the representatives of the National Assembly was supplemented and amended by the law of 10 February 1995 concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament. (b) Distribution of seats Finland has 16 seats.

The national territory is divided into 4 constituencies (south, west, north and east) on the basis of the constituencies laid down by national electoral law. (c) Electoral system List-based system with preferential vote and proportional allocation of seats by the d'Hondt system. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election All Finnish citizens aged 18 or over who have not been debarred on the grounds of electoral fraud (this prohibition lasts 6 years). All citizens of the European Union domiciled in Finland for at least one year before the election may vote under the same conditions, if they apply to do so. Anyone entitled to vote may stand for election. No one placed under supervision or on active military service is entitled to stand for election. Postal voting is authorized. (e) Nomination of candidates Nominations may be submitted at either constituency or national level. They must be submitted by a legally constituted political party or a voters' association comprising at least 1 000 voters wishing to put up candidates in a constituency. Voters' associations may submit joint lists at either constituency or national level (in the latter case, they must set up voters' associations in all the constituencies in which the joint lists are to stand).

Applications for publication of lists must be submitted to the central committee in Helsinki. (f) Allocation of seats Once the number of seats to be allocated to each party or voters' association has been established, the candidates on the various lists are ranked on the basis of the number of votes each has obtained. Vacant seats are allocated to the next candidate on the same list. (g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the European Electoral Act and Directive 93/109. A European mandate is incompatible with the office of Chancellor (or Deputy Chancellor) of Justice, parliamentary Ombudsman (or Deputy Ombudsman), and judge of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special rules. (i) Validation of election results The provisions governing national elections also apply to European elections. The Uusismaa regional administrative tribunal has sole jurisdiction where the results are contested. 6.

FRANCE (a) Legislation Law No 77-729 of 7 July 1977 on the election of representatives of the Assembly of the European Communities and Decree No 79-160 of 28 February 1979 have been supplemented and amended by the law of 5 February 1994 on the exercise by nationals of the European Union resident in France of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament (Law No 94-104, Journal Officiel of 8 February 1994, p. 2124-2155). (b) Distribution of seats France has 87 seats. French MEPs represent the entire national territory (including overseas departments and territories). (c) Electoral system Proportional representation; The entire national territory makes up a single constituency; Votes are counted and seats allocated for the entire national territory. Seats are allocated among the various lists using the d'Hondt system; (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election French citizens aged 18 years or over. French citizens resident abroad may also vote by proxy or in polling stations in consulates and embassies.

For Community nationals who are not of French nationality, the right to vote is restricted to those who have their main residence in France. In order to exercise the right to vote they must apply for entry on an additional electoral roll by 15 April 1994. French citizens aged 23 years or over are eligible for election, as are nationals of Member States of the European Union other than France aged 23 years or over who have their real domicile or permanent residence in France and who are eligible to stand as a candidate in their home Member State. Voting by proxy is permitted. (e) Nomination of candidates Submission of lists by the candidate at the head of the list or his representative; A deposit of FF 100 000 for each list (not reimbursed if the list fails to obtain 5% or more of the votes cast). (f) Allocation of seats According to the order of names on the list. Voters have a single vote to be given to a list. The order of names on the lists cannot be changed; Lists which receive fewer than 5% of the votes cast are not allocated any seats; Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the list.

(g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the electoral code and those contained in the Community directive of 6 December 1993. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign French political parties and lists submitted by other groupings are allowed to take part in the election campaign. This begins two weeks before polling day. Broadcasting time is made available on radio and television; Parties winning at least 5% of the vote have part of their campaign expenses refunded (law of 15 January 1990 on the funding of and ceiling on electoral expenses). (i) Validation of election results The Council of State (not the Constitutional Council as in the case of national elections) rules on disputes and on objections to the results of the ballot and is competent for all matters relating to application of the electoral law to elections to the European Parliament. 7. GREECE (a) Legislation The Electoral Law of 20 July 1981 and Law No. 1443/84 have been supplemented and amended by the law of 22 March 1994 establishing the arrangements for the election of the Greek representatives to the European Parliament (Greek official journal No 2196).

(b) Distribution of seats The whole of Greece constitutes one electoral area from which 25 deputies are elected to the European Parliament. (c) Electoral system Proportional representation on a national basis. Votes are cast for a single list and vote-splitting or preferential voting are prohibited. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Greek citizens and nationals of other Member States of the European Union aged 18 years or over may vote in elections to the European Parliament and exercise their right to vote for candidates on the Greek national lists. Voting is compulsory for all voters entered on the electoral roll. Greek citizens resident outside the EC are unable to vote unless they return to Greece or go to vote at a consulate in an EC country. Greek citizens and citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are at least 21 years old are eligible. (e) Nomination of candidates Lists may be submitted only by political parties or party coalitions. Each list can include a maximum of 25 candidates. (f) Allocation of seats Seats are allocated according to the order of candidates on the list. Vacant seats are filled by substitute candidates from the same list. If the number of candidates presented on the list is exhausted replacement elections are held. No quorum clause exists.

(g) Incompatibilities According to the Greek electoral law of 1981, a national parliamentary mandate is incompatible with the European mandate. However, law 1443/84 admits a dual mandate as an exception for the first two candidates on an electoral list. The incompatibilities laid down by the European Election Act of September 1976 and the Council directive of 6 December 1993 also apply. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign For each list a deposit of 150 000 drachmas is required. This amount is repayable if the list obtains 3% or more of the votes. (i) Validation of election results The election results can be contested in the Constitutional Court. 8.

IRELAND (a) Legislation Irish electoral law for elections to the European Parliament is governed by the European Assembly Elections Act 1977, the European Assembly (Irish representatives) Act 1979, the European Assembly Elections Act 1984 (Acts of the Oireachtas 1977, 1979 and 1984), the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1986, the Electoral Act 1992 and the European Election Act 1993. The directive on the right to vote for citizens of the Union was followed by the European Parliament Elections (voting and candidature) Regulations 1994. (b) Distribution of seats The 15 Irish Members of Parliament are elected in four constituencies: Dublin (4 seats), Munster (4 seats), Leinster (4 seats), Connacht/Ulster (3 seats). (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. The traditional single transferable vote system is used. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order on the ballot paper.

Each voter casts his vote for one candidate and in addition indicates in order of preference the candidates to whom his vote should be given if the candidate of his first choice has already received more than the number of votes necessary for election, or has obtained too few votes and has thus been eliminated. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Irish citizens and citizens of the European Union domiciled in Ireland and 18 years of age or over are entitled to vote. To exercise their right to vote, citizens of other Member States of the European Community must apply for entry on the electoral roll by 24 May 1994. Under Irish legislation, voters may vote in person or by post. Irish nationals entered on the postal register of a particular constituency may vote by post. Irish citizens resident abroad cannot be entered on the roll and are thus precluded from voting for Irish candidates. Citizens of the European Union of 21 years or over may stand as candidates. Nationals of Member States of the Union other than Ireland are subject to the residence requirements referred to above. e) Nomination of candidates Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party.

Each candidate is required to pay a deposit of £Irl 1000; this is refunded if the candidate receives at least one third of the votes required for election. (f) Allocation of seats The alphabetical order in which candidates are listed on the ballot paper does not affect the order in which seats are allocated. There is no threshold clause. To be elected candidates must obtain a pre-established quota of votes obtained by dividing the total number of valid votes by the number of seats + 1 and adding 1 to the result obtained. Vacant seats are filled by candidates on the various lists who obtain a number of votes higher than the quota, in accordance with the preferences expressed by voters. (g) Incompatibilities In addition to the incompatibilities laid down in the European Electoral Act of 20 September 1976, membership of the European Parliament is not compatible with the office of Attorney General or with the Chairmanship or Deputy-Chairmanship of the Dail (House of Representatives) or Seanad (Senate). Membership of the European Parliament is compatible with membership of the Dail. The incompatibilities laid down in the Community directive of 6 December 1993 also apply.

(h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special rules are laid down for the election campaign. (i) Validation of election results Receipt of a minute describing the implementation of the electoral procedure from the local electoral officer for each constituency to the relevant Minister suffices to verify the validity of the result. Electors or candidates can challenge the election results in the High Court. 9. ITALY (a) Legislation Law No 18 of 24 January 1979 as amended and supplemented by laws No 61 of 9 April 1984, No 9 of 18 January 1989 and No 128 of 21 February 1994 (right to vote and to stand as a candidate for citizens of the Union). (b) Distribution of seats Italy has 87 seats. The national territory is divided into five constituencies (North-West, 22 seats; North-East, 15 seats; Centre, 16 seats; South, 19 seats; and Islands, 9 seats). (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. Votes are counted and seats allocated at national level where a quotient is established determining how many votes are required to win a seat.

If in a constituency a list has obtained an insufficient number of votes to win a seat, these votes are transferred to the constituency in which the list of the party in question has obtained a relative majority of the votes. In this way all parties benefit from a redistribution of votes at national level. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Citizens of the European Union aged 18 years or over. Italian citizens resident in the other Member States of the Community vote either in that State or for the candidates in their constituencies in Italy. Italian citizens resident outside the Community must vote in Italy. Nationals of another Member State of the European Community who wish to take part in the elections to the European Parliament must submit their applications to the local authority no later than 90 days before the elections. Citizens of the Member States aged 25 years or over are eligible to stand for election, provided they satisfy the conditions of eligibility in their home Member State. (e) Nomination of candidates Political parties and political groups which won at least one seat in the European Parliament at the previous election may submit lists of candidates. Individual nominations may be submitted provided they are endorsed by at least 30 000 and no more than 35 000 signatures.

(f) Allocation of seats Seats are allocated to candidates who obtain the largest number of preferential votes. Voters can give their vote to three candidates in the North-West constituency, two candidates in the North-East, Centre and South constituencies and one candidate in the Islands constituency. There is special provision for preferential votes in areas with linguistic minorities. Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the list, once the national electoral result has been established for each list and the seats have been allocated to the list on the basis of the national electoral result of each list. There is no threshold clause. (g) Incompatibilities Those laid down by the Act of 20 September 1976 and those contained in Council Directive 93/109/EC of 6 December 1993. Membership of the European Parliament is incompatible with the office of President of the Council or regional councillor. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign Election campaign expenses are refunded within set limits. (i) Validation of election results Any voter may lodge an objection with the Latium regional administrative tribunal and subsequently appeal to the Council of State. 10.

LUXEMBOURG (a) Legislation The Luxembourg electoral law of 25 February 1979 on the direct election of Luxembourg Members of the European Parliament has been supplemented and amended by two additional laws of March 1984 and by the law of 28 January 1994 on the election of the representatives of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the European Parliament. (b) Distribution of seats Luxembourg forms a single national constituency from which all six Members are elected. (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. Every elector has six votes and can vote for up to six candidates. He may vote for a list as a whole or distribute his votes among individual candidates. If a voter casts all his votes for a list with fewer than six candidates, that list is credited with as many votes as it has candidates. Votes are counted using the d'Hondt system. Vote-splitting is permitted. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Luxembourg citizens aged 18 years or over.

Nationals of Member States of the European Union other than Luxembourg must apply to be entered on the electoral rolls established by the Luxembourg municipalities and, at the time of their application, have resided in Luxembourg for at least five years during the past six years. However, Community voters who, because they reside outside their home Member State or have done so for a particular period, are not entitled to vote there are not subject to this residence requirement. Voting is compulsory for all persons entered on the electoral roll. Postal voting is allowed for Luxembourgish voters resident abroad. Luxembourg citizens aged 21 years or over are eligible for election. Nationals of other Member States of the European Union may stand as a candidate in the elections to the uropean Parliament provided that they have been resident in Luxembourg for at least ten years during the past twelve years at the time of submission of the list of candidates. (e) Nomination of candidates Lists may be submitted with the endorsement of 250 registered voters, or of one Member of the European Parliament or the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies. No list may include more than 12 candidates or be composed of a majority of candidates who are not of Luxembourg nationality.

(f) Allocation of seats In the order of the number of votes which the individual candidates or lists have received. Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the list. There is no threshold clause. (g) Incompatibilities Those laid down by the Act of 20 September 1976. An elected Member of the European Parliament who subsequently assumes office in the Luxembourg Government and must therefore resign his seat becomes, as of right, the next candidate on the list from which he was elected. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special rules for the European elections. (i) Validation of election results By the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies. 11. THE NETHERLANDS (a) Legislation The Netherlands electoral law of 13 December 178 (Staatsblad 652) was repealed by the law of 28 January 1993 (Staatsblad 75), which was subsequently incorporated into the Netherlands electoral code (Kieswet 423 of 28 September 1989, Section Y). The arrangements implementing the right to vote and to stand as a candidate for citizens of the Union were adopted on 4 February 1994.

(b) Distribution of seats The Netherlands has 31 seats and the country forms a single national constituency. (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. Votes are counted and seats allocated at national level using the d'Hondt system. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Dutch citizens aged 18 years or over. Dutch citizens resident in the other Member States of the Community can take part in the election (personally, by proxy or by postal vote). Citizens of other Member States of the Union entered on the population register are entitled to vote. Applications for entry on the register must be received by the local authority by 27 February 1994. Citizens of the Union aged 18 or over are entitled to stand as candidates. In order to exercise this right, citizens of other Member States of the Union must satisfy the residence requirements referred to above and be eligible to stand as a candidate in their own country. (e) Nomination of candidates Candidates are nominated by political parties (25 signatures are required). The lists can include up to 40 names.

A deposit of Fl 18 000 is required when a list is submitted by a party not represented in the European Parliament (Fl 1000 per district). (f) Allocation of seats Each voter has one vote which he can give either to a list or a candidate. In this way the order of names on the list can be changed. Vacant seats are filled by the next candidate on the relevant list. (g) Incompatibilities Those laid down for the Netherlands Parliament (Law of 13 December 1978, 'Staatsblad' 653, as amended by the law of 24 June 1992, Staatsblad 350). The incompatibilities referred to in the Community directive on the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate for citizens of the Union also apply. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign No special rules for the European elections. (i) Validation of election results By the central polling office. 12. PORTUGAL (a) Legislation The law on elections to the European Parliament was approved by the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic on 29 April 1987 (Law No. 14/87).

It was subsequently amended and supplemented by law No. 3 of 9 March 1994 on the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the European Union residing in Portugal (Official journal, 1st series, No 57). (b) Distribution of Seats Portuguese territory constitutes a single electoral constituency. (c) Electoral System Proportional representation; Seats are allocated to the different lists using the d'Hondt system, in accordance with the provisions of the general election regulations. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Portuguese citizens and citizens of the European Union aged at least 18 have the right to vote and stand for election. In order to exercise their right to vote and stand as a candidate, nationals of other Member States of the European Community must be ordinarily resident in Portugal and be entered on the electoral roll by 15 March 1994 and satisfy the conditions of candidacy in their own country. Portuguese nationals residing in another State of the Union may vote at consulates. (e) Nomination of candidates Lists of candidates are submitted to the Constitutional Court.

Lists must contain a number of candidates equal to the number of members to be elected and between three and eight substitutes. (f) Allocation of seats Seats are allocated in the order in which candidates appear on the lists; In the event of the death, invalidity or resignation of a Member, the seat is allocated to the candidate or, possibly, the substitute on the same list in the order in which candidates appear on the list. (g) Incompatibilities Account is taken of: the instances of incompatibility cited in the Act of 20 September 1976; the general instances of incompatibility provided for by the electoral law for the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic. the instances of incompatibility provided for in the Community directive on the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union. Membership of the European Parliament is not compatible with membership of the Assembly of the Republic. Members of certain local, administrative and judicial institutions are not eligible. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign After consulting the government, the President of the Republic fixes the date of the elections within 75 days. The election campaign lasts for 12 days. The campaign is funded by the parties but within certain limits.

(i) Validation of election results The election results are checked at district and autonomous region level by an intermediate verification Committee. The arrangements for national elections apply for general verification. The general verification of results and the proclamation of successful candidates is undertaken by an assembly for general verification established in Lisbon. The Constitutional Court has sole jurisdiction in the event of the election results being contested. 13. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (a) Legislation The German electoral law of 16 June 1978 was last amended on 11 November 1993 and by the law of 13 March 1994 on the right to vote and stand as a candidate for citizens of the European Union (Bundesgesetzblatt, 13 March 1994, Vol. I, p. 419). (b) Distribution of seats The 99 Members are elected from Land or Federal lists (c) Electoral system Proportional representation. Each elector has one vote. Votes are counted at federal level using the Hare-Niemeyer system. When a party submits Land lists the total number of seats won by that party is divided among them using the Hare-Niemeyer system.

(d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election German citizens aged 18 years or over resident in the Federal Republic or in another Member State of the European Community or the Council of Europe, and those who have been resident in another country for less than 10 years and provided that they are entered on the German electoral roll. citizens of a Member State of the European Union other than Germany aged 18 years or over and who are ordinarily resident in Germany and who have lived there or in another Member State of the EEC for the three months immediately preceding the election. persons who have held citizenship of one of the Member States of the European Union for over a year and are entitled to vote in Germany may stand for election. the holder of a polling card may vote in person or by post. (e) Nomination of candidates Lists of candidates may be submitted by Land or grouped together on a single list for all the Länder. Political parties and 'political associations organized on a membership basis' (e.g. the European party federations) may submit lists of candidates.

If not already represented in the Bundestag or the Landtag by at least five members, they must collect 4 000 signatures for a Federal list or 2000 for a Land list. (f) Allocation of seats According to the order in which names appear on the lists. Vacancies are filled by substitutes which can be designated at the same time as each candidate on the list. In the absence of any substitute, the seat is allocated to the next candidate on the list. Lists obtaining fewer than 5% of the total number of votes at federal level do not qualify for the allocation of seats. (g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the Act of 20 September 1976 and, in addition, those laid down by the Bundeswahlgesetz (Federal Electoral Law) and in the Community directive on the right to vote and stand as a candidate for citizens of the European Union. Members of the European Parliament may also sit in the Bundestag. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign Parties receive a sum in proportion to their share of the votes from an election campaign expenses fund. This fund totals approx. DM 215 million (DM 5 per voter).

This reimbursement is granted for any list obtaining at least 0.5% of the votes cast. There are plans for an agreement between the parties limiting election campaign expenditure. (i) Validation of election results By the Bundestag. Its decision can be contested in the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court). 14. UNITED KINGDOM (a) Legislation The European Parliamentary Elections Act of May 1978 was amended and supplemented by the European Elections Act of 1981, the Representation of the People Acts of 1983 and 1985, the regulations governing the elections to the European Parliament in Northern Ireland and Scotland and the European Parliamentary Elections Act of 1993. The modification concerning the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in the United Kingdom came into force on 16 February 1994 with the European Parliament Elections Regulation 1994. (b) Distribution of seats The United Kingdom has 87 seats.

These are divided among the different regions as follows: England 1 constituencies (c) Electoral system Representatives from England, Scotland and Wales are elected according to the traditional majority vote system in individual constituencies. The three Northern Ireland representatives are elected by the same system as in Ireland, i.e. on a proportional representation basis in a single 3-member constituency. For the selection of candidates, the single transferable vote is used (cf. Ireland). (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election Citizens of the European Union resident in the United Kingdom and aged 18 years or over are entitled to vote. Applications for entry on the electoral roll must be received by the local authority by 24 October. In order to exercise their right to vote in Northern Ireland, citizens of the European Union must have resided in the national territory for the three months prior to their entry on the electoral roll. Contrary to the practice in national elections, members of the House of Lords also have the right to vote.

British citizens who have registered to vote in the United Kingdom within the last five years, but now reside abroad, have the right to vote on completion of a declaration (Representation of the People Act 1985) as have government officials and members of the armed forces. Candidates must be citizens of the European Union aged 21 years or over. Members of the House of Lords and clergymen may also stand for election. (e) Nomination of candidates Candidates need not be nominated by a political party. Nominations in the constituencies must be endorsed by 30 electors. In addition a deposit of £1000 must be paid. (f) Allocation of seats In England, Scotland and Wales the seats are won by the candidate with the greatest number of votes in each single member constituency. In the 3-member constituency of Northern Ireland, candidates with sufficient first-choice votes are elected and thereafter the second and subsequent choice votes of the voters are used to fill the remaining seats. Vacancies are filled by means of by-elections. There are no 'threshold clauses'.

(g) Incompatibilities Incompatibilities are as laid down in the European Electoral Act of 20 September 1976 and the law of 16 February 1994. Membership of the European Parliament is compatible with membership of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign In contrast to national elections no special rules have been laid down for the European elections, with the exception of a limitation on campaign expenditure. No grants of public moneys are made available to political parties to fund the election campaign. Expenses are limited to £10 000 and 4.3 pence per elector. (I) Validation of election results The Returning Officer in each constituency is responsible for the counting of the votes and the declaration of the results. Election results can be contested in the High Court. 15. SWEDEN (a) Legislation The electoral law of 1972 col. 620 concerning elections to the Riksdag was supplemented and amended by the law of 20 April 1995 on elections to the European Parliament. (b) Distribution of seats The country is not divided into constituencies for European elections.

(c) Electoral system List-based system with preferential vote and proportional allocation of seats by the modified St Lagüe method (odd-numbers method in which the highest common factor is 1.4). Voters may vote for a political party or for one or more candidates. They may change the order in which candidates appear on the lists and may add or delete names. Parties must obtain at least 4% of the total number of votes cast at national level to qualify for the allocation of seats. (d) Entitlement to vote and eligibility for election All Swedish citizens aged 18 or over on election day, who are resident in Sweden. Swedish citizens resident abroad must have resided in Sweden in the past and have applied for entry on a special electoral roll. Citizens of other EU Member States who are resident in Sweden and aged 18 or over on election day may also vote, on condition that they notify the tax authorities before doing so. Anyone who, according to the register kept by the tax authorities, was entered on the population register in Sweden before 1 July is considered to be a resident. Postal votes may be cast at the Posten Aktiebolag post office, at consular offices or on ships travelling outside Sweden.

Anyone entitled to vote may stand for election. (e) Nomination of candidates By virtue of the principle of free nomination, parties and candidates are not obliged to collect a given number of signatures or pay a deposit. Nominations must be submitted to the central authority. (f) Allocation of seats Each seat won by a party is allocated to a representative of that party and his or her substitutes. Once the ballot papers containing votes for individual candidates have been collected, the candidates are ranked on the basis of the number of preferential votes obtained. Candidates must have obtained at least 5% of the total number of votes cast for their party. The remaining seats are allocated to the candidates who obtained the highest proportion of the total number of votes cast for their party. Should a seat fall vacant during a parliamentary term, it will be filled by one of the substitutes elected at the same time as the holder. (g) Incompatibilities The same as those laid down by the Electoral Act of 1976 and Directive 93/109. Furthermore, no one who stood in the European elections in June 1994 is eligible for election. (h) Regulations concerning the election campaign National electoral law lays down no specific rules or limits governing the funding of political parties.

No special rules for European elections. (i) Validation of election results The validation board has sole jurisdiction where the results are contested. It has the power to order the annulment of a ballot and the organization of new elections. European Parliament: 10/01/1997 Folketinget - Chapter 4 - Elections to Parliament Chapter 4 - Elections to Parliament Part four primarily deals with the rules for election to Parliament. Section 28 The Folketing shall consist of one assembly of not more than one hundred and seventy-nine Members, of whom two Members shall be elected in the Faroe Islands and two Members in Greenland. Section 28 Parliament may not consist of more than 179 Members. Two Members are elected in the Faeroe Islands and two in Greenland. Section 29 Subsection 1. Any Danish subject who is permanently domiciled in the Realm, and who has the age qualification for suffrage as provided for in Sub-section (2) of this section shall have the right to vote at Folketing elections, provided that he has not been declared incapable of conducting his own affairs.

It shall be laid down by statute to what extent conviction and public assistance amounting to poor relief within the meaning of the law shall entail disenfranchisement. Subsection 2. The age qualification for suffrage shall be as determined by the referendum held under the Act dated March 25th 1953. Such age qualification for suffrage may be altered at any time by statute. A Bill passed by the Folketing for the purpose of such enactment shall receive the Royal Assent only when the provision for altering the age qualification for suffrage has been submitted to a referendum in accordance with Sub-section (5) of Section 42, and which has not resulted in the rejection of the provision. Section 29 Subsection 1. It is necessary to be a Danish citizen to be eligible to vote in a general election. Permanent residence in Denmark is also a requirement. This makes it necessary to be registered with the national register in Denmark. However, there are exceptions for some Danes residing abroad. For example, people who work for the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or have been posted abroad by a Danish authority, company or society are entitled to vote. This also applies to people who are living abroad for educational or health-related reasons.

Furthermore, it is possible to retain the right to vote by signing a document stating an intention to return to Denmark within two years of leaving the country. The rules are laid down in Section 2 of the Danish Election Act. People who have been declared legally incompetent are not entitled to vote. This could be due to mental illness or mental disability, for instance. However, people who receive financial assistance from a municipality or have been convicted of a crime no longer lose the right to vote. Neither the Constitutional Act nor any other Act mentions anything about the Queen’s or her family’s right to vote. However, in practice the Queen and her family do not vote. Nor are they listed in the electoral registers. Subsection 2. In 1953, electoral age was 23 years. Since then, the electoral age has been reduced three times and it is 18 years today. Two things are required to change the electoral age. First, Parliament must pass an Act to change it. The Bill must then be submitted to a referendum, in which a majority must not vote against it. However, this majority must consist of at least 30 per cent of all voters. Things do not always go as politicians wish.

In 1969, politicians wanted to reduce the electoral age from 21 to 18 years of age. However, the Danish population did not want this – it voted against the proposal. It was only in a referendum in 1978 that Danes voted in favour of reducing the electoral age to 18. Section 30 Subsection 1. Any person who is entitled to vote at Folketing elections shall be eligible for membership of the Folketing, unless he has been convicted of an act which in the eyes of the public makes him unworthy to be a Member of the Folketing. Subsection 2. Civil servants who are elected Members of the Folketing shall not require permission from the Government to accept election. Section 30 Subsection 1. Anybody who has the right to vote can also become a Member of Parliament. However, they must not have been convicted of anything that, in public opinion, makes them unworthy to sit in Parliament. Parliament decides whether a convicted Member is also unworthy. In practice, the conviction is used as a guideline. If a Member of Parliament receives a custodial sentence, he or she must usually resign from Parliament.

For instance, this happened to the former leader of the Progress Party (Fremskridtspartiet), Mogens Glistrup. He was found guilty of tax fraud and went to prison. Parliament therefore considered him to be unworthy to sit in Parliament and voted him out in 1983. When he had served his sentence, he stood for election and was re-elected to Parliament in 1987 and Parliament now found him worthy. Subsection 2. Civil servants, who work in ministries for instance, can be elected to Parliament. They do not need the Government’s permission first. This provision differs from provisions on this in the constitutions of many other countries, where civil servants may not be Members of Parliament. Section 31 Subsection 1. The Members of the Folketing shall be elected by general and direct ballot. Subsection 2. ules for the exercise of the suffrage shall be laid down by the Parliamentary Election Act of Denmark, which, to secure equal representation of the various opinions of the electorate, shall prescribe the manner of election and decide whether proportional representation shall be adopted with or without elections in single-member constituencies. Subsection 3.

n determining the number of seats to be allotted to each area account shall be taken of the number of inhabitants, the number of electors, and the density of population. Subsection 4. The Parliamentary Election Act of Denmark shall provide rules governing the election of substitutes and their admission to the Folketing, as well as rules for the procedure to be adopted where a new election is required. Subsection 5. Special rules for the representation of Greenland in the Folketing may be laid down by statute. Section 31 Subsection 1. All voters must have the opportunity to vote in general elections. Voters must be able to vote direct for the candidates who are standing for election to Parliament. And nobody must be able to see where they place their crosses. People can obtain help to vote if they have problems with seeing or reading the ballot paper, for instance. The ballot is still regarded as secret even if the helper sees where the cross is placed. Subsection 2. The Danish Election Act states how elections are to be held. The Danish Election Act is passed by Parliament, but the Constitutional Act makes various demands on it. The Danish Election Act must ensure that all political opinions are represented equally.

This is done by using a special method of counting votes that is called proportional representation. With this method, parties are allocated seats in relation to how many votes they receive. If a party receives ten per cent of all of the votes cast, for instance, it will also get about ten per cent of the seats in Parliament. Subsection 3. The number of inhabitants, the number of voters and population density must be taken into consideration when working out how the seats are to be distributed. This provision makes allowances for thinly-populated areas of the country. It means that fewer votes are required to be elected in Northern Jutland, for instance, than in Copenhagen. Subsection 4. If a Member of Parliament is ill or is on leave for a period of time, a deputy is summoned. These rules are in Parliament’s Standing Orders. If a Member resigns from Parliament or dies, his or her seat is transferred to a deputy. These rules are in the Danish Election Act. The Members of Parliament do not have personal deputies. Under the Danish Election Act, the deputy must be taken from among the candidates in the party who were not elected to Parliament. The person at the top of the list is normally chosen.

The Danish Election Act also contains a few provisions on second ballots. However, they are of no great practical significance. There has not been a second ballot since 1918. Subsection 5. In Greenland, the two members of Parliament are elected by direct election. However, the provision gives Greenlanders the opportunity to use indirect elections instead. Section 32 Subsection 1. The Members of the Folketing shall be elected for a period of four years. Subsection 2. The King may at any time issue writs for a new election, to the effect that the existing seats shall be vacated upon a new election, except that writs for an election shall not be issued after the appointment of a new Cabinet until the Prime Minister has appeared before the Folketing. Subsection 3. The Prime Minister shall cause a general election to be held before the expiration of the period for which the Folketing has been elected. Subsection 4. No seats shall be vacated until a new election has been held. Subsection 5. Special rules may be provided by statute for the commencement and termination of Faroese and Greenland representation in the Folketing. Subsection 6.

If a Member of the Folketing becomes ineligible his seat in the Folketing shall become vacant. Subsection 7. On approval of his election each new Member shall make a solemn declaration that he will observe the Constitutional Act. Section 32 Subsection 1. There must be a general election at least every four years. Subsection 2. The Prime Minister can call an election before the four years have passed. This is a great advantage for the Government. It means that the Prime Minister can call an election at the time that is best for his or her party. The Prime Minister cannot call an election immediately after he or she has formed a Government. He or she must first "present himself or herself" to Parliament. This means that he or she must attend a debate and outline his or her plans in Parliament. Subsection 3. The Prime Minister must ensure that an election is held before the four years have passed. Subsection 4. When an election is called, the Members of Parliament retain their seats. Their seats are valid until the election is over. This also applies to Members of Parliament who are not standing for re-election. Subsection 5. There are special Election Acts for the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. Subsection 6.

If a Member of Folketing is declared unworthy to sit in Parliament, he or she loses his or her seat. This also occurs if he or she moves abroad permanently or is declared legally incompetent. Read more about eligibility in Section 33. Subsection 7. A Member of Parliament must solemnly promise that he or she will abide by the Constitutional Act. This is done by signing a declaration. Failure to do so means he or she cannot participate in debates or vote in Parliament. Nor may he or she be a member of a parliamentary committee. These rules are in Parliament’s Standing Orders. Section 33 The Folketing shall itself determine the validity of the election of any Member and decide whether a Member has lost his eligibility or not. Section 33 Parliament itself decides whether an election has taken place correctly. It is almost always the case that a few people complain about mistakes in connection with an election. Such complaints could be about mistakes in lists of candidates or mistakes in counting ballot papers. If there is a complaint about an election, Parliament must investigate the matter. A temporary committee is set up to assess what happened. This is called the Scrutineers’ Committee.

If a mistake has been made, Parliament must decide what the consequences of this will be. First and foremost, Parliament must decide whether the mistake is so serious that the election should be declared invalid. However, in most cases, agreement can be reached that the mistake has no significance for the final election result. Parliament also deals with issues regarding Members’ eligibility. A permanent committee has been set up to investigate Members’ affairs during the time between elections. It is called the Scrutineers’ Committee. Members who lose their eligibility cannot retain their seats in Parliament. The current practice is that they are "unworthy" to sit in Parliament if they have received a custodial sentence. Read more about this in Section 30. If the Scrutineers’ Committee decides that a Member has lost his or her eligibility, it tables a motion that he or she should lose his or her seat. This motion is put to the vote in Parliament. Section 34 The Folketing shall be inviolable. Any person who infringes its security or freedom, or any person who issues or obeys any command aimed thereat, shall be deemed guilty of high treason. Section 34 Parliament is the country’s supreme authority.

Any act that threatens Parliament’s security or freedm to make decisions is regarded as high treason. Under the Danish Penal Code, this may be punished with imprisonment for up to 16 years or life. Even in cases where people have been ordered to attack Parliament, they are not exempt from liability. If, for example, a soldier or a police officer receives such an order, he must refuse to obey it. Nor is it permitted to disturb the work of Parliament by demonstrating in the Chamber, for instance. However, those who do so will not be indicted for high treason. But it is illegal and usually results in the imposition of a fine.

Question: The Folketing is the parliament of which European country?
Answer: Denmark