 Denmark is the oldest monarchy in continental Europe. In 1849, it became a constitutional monarchy with the adoption of a new constitution. The monarch is formally head of state, a role which is mainly ceremonial, because of its executive power, while exercised by the monarch, is exercised through the cabinet ministers, with the prime minister acting as the first among equals (primus inter pares). Legislative power is vested in both the monarch and the Danish parliament, known as the Folketing, which consists of no more than 179 members. Judicial power rests with the court.
Elections for parliament must be held at least every four years, but the prime minister can call an earlier election. Should parliament succeed in a vote of no confidence against the prime minister, the entire government resigns. The country is often run by minority governments.
The death sentence for crimes in peace time was abolished in Denmark in 1930, but remained for crimes in war time until 1978. After World War II, a special law introduced the death sentence for collaborators during the war. Forty-six people were executed, and the last execution in Denmark took place in 1950. The special World War II law was not abolished until 1993. It is illegal under Danish law to extradite citizens to countries where the citizen would face the death sentence.
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