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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that US President Donald Trump’s threat to take Greenland would spell the end of Nato, the trans-Atlantic defence alliance. So who is the woman standing toe to toe with Trump?

A career politician in the truest sense, she was first elected as a member of the Danish Parliament in 2001, the day after her 24th birthday. After nearly two decades at the heart of the country’s politics, where she held roles including Justice Minister and Minister for Employment, she was elected Prime Minister of Denmark in June 2019, aged 41, the youngest leader in Danish history.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing - her premiership has survived a pandemic, an early election, and inflation driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Now, as the jam-making mother-of-two faces her biggest international challenge to date - Stephen Smith looks back at the life and career of the woman named the ‘second most powerful person in Europe in 2026’ by Politico.

Contributors:
Magdalena Andersson, former Swedish Prime Minister
Kasper Kildegaard, Danish journalist
Kasper Fogh Hansen, friend
Ane Halsboe-Jorgensen, Danish Taxation Minister and friend
Stig Jensen, Danish academic and tutor
Tobias Hamann, Great Danish Bake Off winner

Producers: Laurie Kalus, Katie Solleveld and Keiligh Baker
Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young
Sound: Gareth Jones
Editor: Justine Lang

Archive:
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Danish Presidency of the council of the EU 2025
Danish Social Democrats
Denmark Broadcasting Corporation