Copenhagen  - A majority of Danish voters want fresh elections should Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen decide to leave office, a survey published Monday suggested.

Rasmussen has been mentioned in connection with the post of NATO secretary-general, although the premier last week said he was "not a candidate for any international post."

Polling institute Catinet Research said six in 10 Danish voters wanted Rasmussen to call new elections rather than hand over the reins to his designated successor, Finance Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.

Only one in three voters said new elections were not necessary should the premier decide to step down, while one in 10 were undecided, the poll commissioned by Danish news agency Ritzau said.

Rasmussen, 56, has been at the helm of government since 2001 when his centre-Right Liberal Party formed a minority government with the Conservatives, and secured backing from the populist Danish People's Party - that has controversially pushed for tighter immigration rules.

New elections could also result in a change of government. The new poll indicated that 48 per cent of the voters favoured Helle Thorning-Schmidt, leader of the opposition Social Democrats, as premier compared to 38.5 per cent for Finance Minister Lokke Rasmussen. Over 13 per cent were undecided.

The poll was conducted among 1,051 voters during February 17-22.

Support for fresh elections was strongest among women, two thirds backed such a move compared to half the men, the poll said. dpa