Denmark's centre-right opposition led by Liberal Party leader Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen has gained more than the majority of seats needed to form a new government in parliamentary elections today, according to exit polls.
The ruling Social Democrats suffered heavy losses following a campaign dominated by anti-immigration sentiment.
Denmark's four million voters chose from 984 candidates in 10 parties for four-year parliamentary terms in the 179-seat Folketing, or parliament.
The media dubbed it a "presidential election" because the campaign centred on the would-be prime ministers - incumbent Social Democrat Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, 58, and the 48-year-old Mr Fogh Rasmussen.
An exit poll released by public television station DR1 after polling stations closed showed that the Liberal-led bloc would get 98 parliamentary seats, while the Social Democratic group would get 77.
A majority of 90 seats is needed to be able to form a government. The poll, which was based on 2,500 voters, reflected an earlier survey by commercial station TV2.
AP