Egon Weidekamp
Encyclopedia
Egon Weidekamp was a Danish
politician and CEO of an insurance company.
The political career of Weidekamp started in 1946 when we became the national leader of DSU, the youth branch of the Social Democratic Party, a position he held until 1950. In 1952 he was elected to the city council
of Copenhagen
for the Social Democratic Party, of which he became the president from 1970 to 1976. From 1976 to 1989, he held the office of Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.
The primary focus of Egon Weidekamp was to provide better apartments for the citizens of Copenhagen, primarily by renewing many of the worst apartments of the city.
Egon Weidekamp is perhaps best known for giving the rights to use Ungdomshuset
on Jagtvej 69 (which was torn down in 2007) to the group of squatters called BZ-bevægelsen after many years of social unrest and riot
s. In 1982, he said in an interview to Danish tabloid newspaper B.T.
: They get a house, and we get peace and quiet.
Egon Weidekamp also made the decision of closing the system of tram
s in the streets of Copenhagen
. When resigning as lord mayor, Egon Weidekamp said that his two biggest regrets were the donation of Ungdomshuset and closing the tram system.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
politician and CEO of an insurance company.
The political career of Weidekamp started in 1946 when we became the national leader of DSU, the youth branch of the Social Democratic Party, a position he held until 1950. In 1952 he was elected to the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
for the Social Democratic Party, of which he became the president from 1970 to 1976. From 1976 to 1989, he held the office of Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.
The primary focus of Egon Weidekamp was to provide better apartments for the citizens of Copenhagen, primarily by renewing many of the worst apartments of the city.
Egon Weidekamp is perhaps best known for giving the rights to use Ungdomshuset
Ungdomshuset
Ungdomshuset was the popular name of the building formally named Folkets Hus located on Jagtvej 69 in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, which functioned as an underground scene venue for music and rendezvous point for varying autonomen and leftist groups from 1982 until 2007 when—after prolonged conflict—it...
on Jagtvej 69 (which was torn down in 2007) to the group of squatters called BZ-bevægelsen after many years of social unrest and riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s. In 1982, he said in an interview to Danish tabloid newspaper B.T.
B.T. (tabloid)
B.T. is a Danish tabloid newspaper which offers general news about various subjects such as sports, politics and current affairs.A large, red neon sign displays the B.T. logo at the square Trianglen in Østerbro, a part of Copenhagen....
: They get a house, and we get peace and quiet.
Egon Weidekamp also made the decision of closing the system of tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s in the streets of Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. When resigning as lord mayor, Egon Weidekamp said that his two biggest regrets were the donation of Ungdomshuset and closing the tram system.