Danish local politicians are increasingly turning to TikTok in a bid to reach young voters ahead of the upcoming local elections, raising both hopes of engagement and questions about the app’s democratic ethics and effectiveness. The Danish local elections will take place on the 18th of November 2025.
TikTok as a Political Campaign Tool in Danish Local Elections
In Denmark, candidates running in the upcoming Danish local elections are embracing TikTok as a campaign platform to connect with younger voters. With more than 41% of Danes aged 15 to 29 using the app weekly, local politicians are trying to meet voters where they spend their time – on social media.
In the western coastal municipality of Lemvig, mayoral candidate Chris Olesen of the Liberal Party (Venstre) has taken to the popular app with dance routines and humorous commentary. His content is usually light, featuring music and pointing at landmarks like the town hall, overlaid with pop lyrics such as “No place I’d rather be.” Olesen, like many others, sees TikTok’s format as an opportunity to engage with first-time and younger voters who tend not to attend debates or follow traditional campaigns.
From Policy to Performance
Despite TikTok’s potential reach, videos presenting serious political content rarely go viral. Instead, users respond more to entertaining or humorous content. Malte Houe, also a Venstre candidate and running in Morsø Municipality, experienced this firsthand. His most watched video featured a comedic dance to a Danish novelty song and racked up 46,000 views within just four days, far more than any video focusing on actual policy ideas.
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This shift to lighter content reflects TikTok’s unpredictable algorithm, which often promotes videos not based on follower count or likes, but on what the app’s back-end determines as engaging in the moment. As a result, many of these candidates produce videos at a high volume, hoping just one hits the algorithm jackpot.
A Question of Authenticity During Danish Local Elections
Communication experts are raising concerns about political newcomers suddenly appearing on TikTok just ahead of the elections, arguing it may come across as insincere or even desperate. Younger voters are becoming savvy media consumers and are capable of detecting when the messaging is more of a stunt than a strategic outreach.
Additionally, the TikTok format favors those already comfortable with digital self-presentation. Younger candidates may have an advantage in crafting content that feels natural and engaging, while older politicians risk coming across as awkward or out of touch when adopting trends or mimicking viral formats.
The Ethics and Risks of TikTok Campaigning
While TikTok may seem like a practical tool for political communication, it comes with underlying ethical and security concerns. The app is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, which has been criticized for potential ties to the Chinese government. In 2023, the Danish Center for Cybersecurity advised against using TikTok on official government devices.
This has not deterred all candidates. Many use personal smartphones and argue that bypassing the app entirely would equate to missing the chance to talk directly to younger segments of the electorate. TikTok’s accessibility and low production demands make it attractive, even if the long-term consequences of political engagement through the platform remain uncertain.
Regulation and the Future of Political Ads
With Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, planning to ban political advertisements starting October 2025, TikTok may become even more important for political messaging in Denmark and beyond. Unlike its competitors, TikTok still allows political content, making it a key platform in the evolving digital campaign landscape.
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Two significant figures emphasize this trend: Over 40% of Danes aged 15 to 29 use TikTok weekly, and videos that go viral can exceed 40,000 views within days, even on new accounts. Despite concerns about the app’s security and democratic implications, these statistics are difficult for campaign strategists to ignore.
Balancing Reach with Responsibility
As the local elections approach, Danish politicians face a trade-off between reach and reputation. While TikTok offers unmatched exposure among younger demographics, it also presents challenges regarding content quality, authenticity, and ethical considerations. With only a few votes often making the difference in smaller local races, some candidates are willing to risk the downsides for the chance to be remembered when voters head to the polls.
