On the day after the General Election in Denmark Prime Minister Poul Hartling appeared determined to continue in office, despite the fact that the results of the election on Thursday (9 January) failed to give his ruling Liberal Party a majority.

He began talks on Friday (10 January) with opposition leaders, in an effort to forge a workable parliamentary coalition to back his Government's programme to combat Denmark's economic ills.

Although the Liberals increased their representation from 22 seats to 42, the Folketing (Parliament) came out of the election more fragmented than before, with 10 parties sharing the 179 seats.

The results also improved the position of the Social Democrats, who remained the largest parliamentary group, but weakened the right-of-centre groups on whom Mr. Hartling's minority Government relied during its year in office.

On polling day Mr. Hartling voted at the Ordrup School in Copenhagen and then joined other party leaders to follow the results as they came in to the election headquarters at the Christiansborg Palace.