Denmark and Sweden have well-established traditions of stability and democratic rule, in essence reaching back to the days of the Vikings. The two countries are among the world’s oldest democracies and, as welfare states, have always spearheaded social progress and innovation.

The Danish and Swedish structures of society and government are very similar. Both countries are constitutional monarchies. Their parliaments, the Folketing in Denmark and the Riksdag in Sweden, have one chamber, whose members are elected by proportional representation.

In the postwar era, governments have been formed either by a social-democratic or a conservative coalition. Since November 2001, Denmark has had a coalition government led by the Liberal party (Venstre). The current Swedish government is led by the Social Democratic Party.

Denmark and Sweden are members of the European Union, the United Nations and the Nordic Council. Denmark is a NATO member, Sweden is not.