Socialist party quits Denmark's coalition govrnment

The Socialist People's Party quit Denmark's coalition government Thursday amid friction over the controversial sale of a stake in state-controlled energy group Dong Energy to Goldman Sachs and other investors. The internal disagreement over the sale of Danish state-owned power company Dong to U.S.-based investment bank Goldman Sachs has finally led to the withdrawal of the Socialist People's Party from the government. The move will also see Annette Vilhelmsen step down as the party's leader. Vilhelmsen, who became the party's leader in 2012, was also serving as social affairs minister. "I have to admit that there was widespread disagreement within our party committee and among our MPs. I was unable to unite the party," Vilhelmsen said.