Denmark's new prime minister, Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen, formed a government with the Conservatives yesterday, slimming the administration and promising sweeping reforms, including restrictions on immigrants.
Mr Rasmussen's Liberals eclipsed the Social Democrats of outgoing prime minister, Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (no relation) in last week's general election.
The new minority coalition will be dependent on support from either the Social Democrats or the far-right Danish People's Party, which almost doubled its representation to 22 deputies.
The new prime minister trimmed the administration to 18 ministries from 21, in what he described as "the biggest reform of the ministerial structure in Denmark since 1953".
He also appointed a Minister for Europe to reflect his priority for the task of hosting the rotating six-month European Union presidency, which Denmark takes over in the second half of 2002.
The post was given to the Liberal member of the European Parliament, Mr Bertel Haarder, a former education minister, who was also appointed to head a new Ministry for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration.
During the election campaign, Mr Rasmussen ruled out giving the DPP seats in his cabinet in order to distance himself from criticism of the far-right party's anti-foreigner stance but yesterday he reiterated his government's firm attitude towards newcomers.
"It is necessary to reduce the influx of foreigners to Denmark and focus on ensuring that those who are here get work," he said.
The new government's programme also calls for a cut in development aid, an income tax freeze, improvements to hospital services and social welfare, including longer paternity leave and tougher law and order provisions.
Copenhagen - UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, yesterday told a conference arranged by the Danish Centre for Human Rights: "I am seeing rising xenophobia in different parts of the world."
"Speaking in broad terms, I am concerned about a 'Fortress Europe' with less willingness to receive refugees and asylum-seekers after September 11th." She said India, Pakistan, Iran and many African countries had let in vast numbers of refugees from neighbouring countries suffering from war.