Folketing
Encyclopedia
The Folketing is the national parliament
of Denmark
. The name literally means "People's thing
"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace
, on the islet of Slotsholmen
in central Copenhagen
.
The most recent general election took place on 15 September 2011.
; the other house was known as the Landsting
. Since both houses, in principle, had equal power, the terms "upper house" and "lower house" were not used. The difference between the houses was voter representation.
The Folketing was elected by common vote and consisted mainly of independent farmers, traders, and merchants as well as the educated classes (i.e. the liberal
forces of society). From 1866 to 1915 the right of vote for the Landsting was restricted to the wealthiest, and some of its members were appointed by the king, thus it predominantly represented the landed gentry and other conservatives. From 1915 the Landsting was also elected by common vote, although indirectly and with a higher age limit than for the Folketing. During the next decades, law-making mainly took place in the Folketing and the Landsting came to be regarded as a superfluous rubber stamp.
In 1953 the people by popular vote adopted a revised constitution. Among the changes was the elimination of the Landsting and the introduction of a unicameral parliament, known only as the Folketing. Christiansborg Palace
has been the domicile of parliament since 1849. The palace is located in the heart of Copenhagen
.
No party has won an outright majority in the Folketing since 1901. Because parties need only 2% of the vote to be represented, several parties win seats, making it all but impossible for one party to win the 90 seats required for a majority. A long-standing rule in the constitution allows a government to begin rule without getting a vote of confidence, as long as it does not lose a vote of no confidence during the parliamentary term. One consequence is that unlike in most other parliamentary systems, a cabinet must usually piece together a majority for each piece of legislation.
became part of the three-party government. The new parliament convened on 4 October, the first Tuesday of the month.
, led a centre-right
minority government consisting of the Liberal Party (Venstre
) and the Conservative People's Party
. This coalition government worked with regular parliamentary support from the national conservative
Danish People's Party
and often gained the necessary 90th seat for majority in the Folketing through negotiations with either the sole MP from the Christian Democrats
, Ørum-Jørgensen or another MP outside parties, Christmas Møller, both elected in 2007 as conservative MPs and having defected since then.
Since the 2007 elections
, the Liberal Alliance (previously Ny Alliance) have gained momentum in opinion polls, and since early 2010, the governing coalition have not been able to gather a majority in the polls without the support of the Alliance. The continuing rise in the polls is to an extent the result of the internal crisis in the Conservative People's Party over the leadership Lene Espersen
and the continuing debate over a lack of "true" liberal/conservative ideology in government policy.
On 13 January 2011, the continuing turmoil within the Conservative group in the Folketing caused Lene Espersen to resign as political leader of the party and focus on her role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. A leadership election between Brian Mikkelsen
, the Minister of Economic and Business Affairs
and Lars Barfoed
, the Justice Minister
, was widely expected, but on 14 January the Conservative group in the Folketing unanimously elected Barfoed as their new political leader. He is expected to be formally elected as chairman of the party at a party convention within a few weeks.
The Social Democrats
under the leadership of Helle Thorning-Schmidt
have enjoyed continuing majorities in opinion polls since late 2009 and hopes to form a centre-left
government coalition consisting of the Socialist People's Party
and the Social Liberal Party with parliamentary support from the small Red-Green Alliance
.
Both Margrethe Vestager
(Social Liberal Party) and Villy Søvndal
(Socialist People's Party) pledged their support to Thorning-Schmidt before the election. But there has been considerable debate about the future politics of this coalition, mainly because the Social Liberal Party demands a more liberal economic
agenda. Also on immigration issues there are political differences between the three coalition parties. This has led some observers to believe that the Social Liberal Party will not join a government coalition but instead opt to be a part of the parliamentary support of a new, centre-left government. In the event the Social Liberals did join the new three-party coalition government formed on 3rd October.
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
of Denmark
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...
. The name literally means "People's thing
Thing (assembly)
A thing was the governing assembly in Germanic and introduced into some Celtic societies, made up of the free people of the community and presided by lawspeakers, meeting in a place called a thingstead...
"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace, , on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, is the seat of the Folketing , the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court...
, on the islet of Slotsholmen
Slotsholmen
Slotsholmen is an island in the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark, and part of Copenhagen Inner City. Bishop Absalon constructed the city's first castle on the island in 1166-67 at the site where Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament lies today...
in central 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...
.
The most recent general election took place on 15 September 2011.
History
From 1849 to 1953 the Folketing was one of the two houses in the bicameral parliament known as the RigsdagRigsdag
Rigsdagen was the name of the Parliament of Denmark from 1849 to 1953.Rigsdagen was Denmark's first parliament, and it was incorporated in the Constitution of 1849. It was a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses, the Folketing and the Landsting. The distinction between the two houses was...
; the other house was known as the Landsting
Landsting (Denmark)
The Landsting was a house of the Rigsdag in Denmark from 1849 until 1953, when the bicameral system was abolished. The house had powers equal to the Folketing, which made the two houses of parliament hard to distinguish....
. Since both houses, in principle, had equal power, the terms "upper house" and "lower house" were not used. The difference between the houses was voter representation.
The Folketing was elected by common vote and consisted mainly of independent farmers, traders, and merchants as well as the educated classes (i.e. the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
forces of society). From 1866 to 1915 the right of vote for the Landsting was restricted to the wealthiest, and some of its members were appointed by the king, thus it predominantly represented the landed gentry and other conservatives. From 1915 the Landsting was also elected by common vote, although indirectly and with a higher age limit than for the Folketing. During the next decades, law-making mainly took place in the Folketing and the Landsting came to be regarded as a superfluous rubber stamp.
In 1953 the people by popular vote adopted a revised constitution. Among the changes was the elimination of the Landsting and the introduction of a unicameral parliament, known only as the Folketing. Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace
Christiansborg Palace, , on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, is the seat of the Folketing , the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court...
has been the domicile of parliament since 1849. The palace is located in the heart 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...
.
No party has won an outright majority in the Folketing since 1901. Because parties need only 2% of the vote to be represented, several parties win seats, making it all but impossible for one party to win the 90 seats required for a majority. A long-standing rule in the constitution allows a government to begin rule without getting a vote of confidence, as long as it does not lose a vote of no confidence during the parliamentary term. One consequence is that unlike in most other parliamentary systems, a cabinet must usually piece together a majority for each piece of legislation.
Latest election results
The Social Liberal Party and the Socialist People's PartySocialist People's Party (Denmark)
The Socialist People's Party is a green and socialist political party in Denmark.-1959–69:The SF was founded on 15 February 1959 by Aksel Larsen, a former leader of the Communist Party of Denmark and CIA agent. Larsen was removed from the ranks of the DKP for his criticism over the Soviet...
became part of the three-party government. The new parliament convened on 4 October, the first Tuesday of the month.
Coalition governments
The former Prime Minister, Lars Løkke RasmussenLars Løkke Rasmussen
Lars Løkke Rasmussen is a Danish politician who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from April 2009 to October 2011. He is the leader of the centre-right liberal party, Venstre....
, led a centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
minority government consisting of the Liberal Party (Venstre
Venstre (Denmark)
VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark...
) and the Conservative People's Party
Conservative People's Party (Denmark)
The Conservative People's Party , also known as Conservatives is a Danish political party.-History:The party was founded 1915 based mostly on its predecessor, Højre , but also on the Free Conservatives and a moderate faction of Venstre , the liberals.The party has participated in several coalition...
. This coalition government worked with regular parliamentary support from the national conservative
National conservatism
National conservatism is a political term used primarily in Europe to describe a variant of conservatism which concentrates more on national interests than standard conservatism as well as upholding cultural and ethnic identity, while not being outspokenly nationalist or supporting a far-right...
Danish People's Party
Danish People's Party
The Danish People's Party is a political party in Denmark which is frequently described as right-wing populist by political scientists and commentators. The party is led by Pia Kjærsgaard...
and often gained the necessary 90th seat for majority in the Folketing through negotiations with either the sole MP from the Christian Democrats
Christian Democrats (Denmark)
The Christian Democrats are a political party in Denmark. The party was founded in 1970 to oppose the liberalization of restrictions on pornography and the legalization of abortion....
, Ørum-Jørgensen or another MP outside parties, Christmas Møller, both elected in 2007 as conservative MPs and having defected since then.
Since the 2007 elections
Danish parliamentary election, 2007
The 66th Folketing election in Denmark was held on 13 November 2007. The election allowed prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to continue for a third term in a coalition government consisting of the Liberals and the Conservative People's Party with parliamentary support from the Danish People's...
, the Liberal Alliance (previously Ny Alliance) have gained momentum in opinion polls, and since early 2010, the governing coalition have not been able to gather a majority in the polls without the support of the Alliance. The continuing rise in the polls is to an extent the result of the internal crisis in the Conservative People's Party over the leadership Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen is a Danish politician and member of parliament who has been Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs since 23 February 2010 and was leader of the Conservative People's Party and Deputy Prime Minister from 9 September 2008 to 13 January 2011...
and the continuing debate over a lack of "true" liberal/conservative ideology in government policy.
On 13 January 2011, the continuing turmoil within the Conservative group in the Folketing caused Lene Espersen to resign as political leader of the party and focus on her role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. A leadership election between Brian Mikkelsen
Brian Mikkelsen
Brian Arthur Mikkelsen is a Danish politician. He is a member of the Conservative People's Party, and has been a member of parliament since 21 September 1994....
, the Minister of Economic and Business Affairs
Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs (Denmark)
The Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs is a ministry in the current Danish government.Lene Espersen has held the ministry since the 10th of September 2008....
and Lars Barfoed
Lars Barfoed
Lars Barfoed is a Danish politician representing the Conservative People's Party. He was Justice Minister of Denmark from February 2010 to October 2011, and Deputy Prime Minister of Denmark from January to October 2011...
, the Justice Minister
Justice Minister of Denmark
The Danish Minister for Justice is the head of the Ministry of Justice and a cabinet member.Under the current government, the post is held by Morten Bødskov.As the head of the department, the minister is responsible for:* The General judicial system including...
, was widely expected, but on 14 January the Conservative group in the Folketing unanimously elected Barfoed as their new political leader. He is expected to be formally elected as chairman of the party at a party convention within a few weeks.
The Social Democrats
Social Democrats (Denmark)
The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark...
under the leadership of Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a Danish politician and the current Prime Minister of Denmark. She has been leader of the Danish Social Democrats since April 2005 and prime minister since October 2011....
have enjoyed continuing majorities in opinion polls since late 2009 and hopes to form a centre-left
Centre-left
Centre-left is a political term that describes individuals, political parties or organisations such as think tanks whose ideology lies between the centre and the left on the left-right spectrum...
government coalition consisting of the Socialist People's Party
Socialist People's Party (Denmark)
The Socialist People's Party is a green and socialist political party in Denmark.-1959–69:The SF was founded on 15 February 1959 by Aksel Larsen, a former leader of the Communist Party of Denmark and CIA agent. Larsen was removed from the ranks of the DKP for his criticism over the Soviet...
and the Social Liberal Party with parliamentary support from the small Red-Green Alliance
Red-Green Alliance (Denmark)
The Red-Green Alliance is a socialist political party in Denmark.- History :The party was formed in 1989 as an electoral alliance by three left-wing parties, Left Socialists , Communist Party of Denmark and Socialist Workers Party...
.
Both Margrethe Vestager
Margrethe Vestager
Margrethe Vestager is a Danish politician representing Det Radikale Venstre. She has been a Member of Parliament since 20 November 2001. On 15 June 2007 she was appointed parliamentary group leader of her party, replacing Marianne Jelved....
(Social Liberal Party) and Villy Søvndal
Villy Søvndal
Villy Søvndal is a Danish politician and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the government of Denmark since October 2011. Søvndal, a member of the Danish Parliament since 1994, is also leader of the Socialist People's Party....
(Socialist People's Party) pledged their support to Thorning-Schmidt before the election. But there has been considerable debate about the future politics of this coalition, mainly because the Social Liberal Party demands a more liberal economic
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
agenda. Also on immigration issues there are political differences between the three coalition parties. This has led some observers to believe that the Social Liberal Party will not join a government coalition but instead opt to be a part of the parliamentary support of a new, centre-left government. In the event the Social Liberals did join the new three-party coalition government formed on 3rd October.
Constitutional requirements
- The Folketing consists of 179 members all elected for a four-year term or until the Prime Minister (via the Queen-in-council) calls for elections, whichever comes first. GreenlandGreenlandGreenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
and the Faroe IslandsFaroe IslandsThe Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
each elect 2 members separately. - The Constitution requires for "equal representation of the various opinions of the electorate", and for regional representation to be secured. The electoral act stipulates the details for this: 135 seats are elected by proportional representation in 10 districts, and 40 supplementary seats are allotted to make out for the difference between district and nation-wide vote. The 135 seats are distributed to the parties by the D'Hondt methodD'Hondt methodThe d'Hondt method is a highest averages method for allocating seats in party-list proportional representation. The method described is named after Belgian mathematician Victor D'Hondt who described it in 1878...
of the party-list system of proportional representationParty-list proportional representationParty-list proportional representation systems are a family of voting systems emphasizing proportional representation in elections in which multiple candidates are elected...
and the 40 supplementary seats by the Sainte-Laguë methodSainte-Laguë methodThe Sainte-Laguë method is one way of allocating seats approximately proportional to the number of votes of a party to a party list used in many voting systems. It is named after the French mathematician André Sainte-Laguë. The Sainte-Laguë method is quite similar to the D'Hondt method, but uses...
. Each party may choose among a number of methods for how the seats won by that party are to be distributed among the candidates. - The result is proportional representation; however, in rare cases, the biggest parties may gain one or two seats extra from smaller parties.
- The voter may vote for a party list, one of the candidates on a party list, or an independent candidate.
- Parties (usually district party assemblies) decide on the nomination of candidates before the election. When co-nomination is assigned, candidates are elected according to personal votes. When priority order is assigned, only an extreme number of personal votes can change the rank.
- Parties must either pass the thresholdElection thresholdIn party-list proportional representation systems, an election threshold is a clause that stipulates that a party must receive a minimum percentage of votes, either nationally or within a particular district, to obtain any seats in the parliament...
, 2% of the national vote, or gain a district seat to gain any supplemental seats. Though possible, it is very rare for a party to gain a district seat without getting 2% of the national vote. There is also an esoteric third rule that allows a party to be represented, if it has enough votes in two of the three areas that the country is divided into. No party has ever fulfilled this rule without getting 2% of the national vote. - To stand for election, parties that are not currently represented in Parliament must collect certificates of support from approximately 20,000 voters (the number of valid votes cast in Denmark proper at the latest election divided by 175, the equivalent of one seat - after the 2007 election the required number is 19,769) and have these individually stamped by the registration office in these voters' municipalities of residence.
- Denmark has universal suffrage for all citizens over 18 years who live in the realm and who have not been declared incapable of managing their own affairs. The constitution makes it possible to restrict suffrage for convicted criminals and people receiving social benefits, but this option has not been used for several decades.
- All voters who have not been convicted of criminal acts that makes them unworthy for a seat in the parliament, are eligible. The Folketing decides if a member is eligible or not (after his election).
- The constitution does not mention political parties at all, although the electoral act does, and MPs are almost always elected for a party. The only independent who has been elected in modern times is the comedian Jacob HaugaardJacob HaugaardDaniel Jacob Haugaard is a Danish comedian, actor and politician. He was a member of the Parliament of Denmark from 1994–1998. He ran without a party, and still got 23,253 votes, enough for a seat....
, but independents, usually unknown ones, are seen at every election. Requirements for standing as an independent candidate are much more lenient than for a new party (signatures from merely 150 eligible voters), but independents are only allowed to contest in a single district, making it very difficult to gain the needed number of votes for a seat. - Members enjoy immunityParliamentary immunityParliamentary immunity, also known as legislative immunity, is a system in which members of the parliament or legislature are granted partial immunity from prosecution. Before prosecuting, it is necessary that the immunity be removed, usually by a superior court of justice or by the parliament itself...
, meaning that no criminal charges may be brought against an MP, unless he is caught red-handed, provided that the Folketing does not lift the immunity. The purpose of this is to prevent political persecution. In practice, the Folketing has always lifted the immunity when a member has been accused of a crime, usually with the consent of the accused member himself. - Debates can be conducted behind closed doors, although this has not happened since 9 April 1940, day of the German invasion in WW II.
- Ministers may hold a seat in parliament, but they do not need to. Supreme CourtSupreme Court of DenmarkThe Supreme Court of Denmark is the supreme court and the third and final instance in all civil and criminal cases in Denmark. It is based at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen which also houses the Danish Parliament.-History:...
judges — according to convention — may not hold a seat whilst also acting as judges. - Ministers may — even if they are not MPs — demand talking time whenever they want.
- Bills may be brought before parliament by members (private member's billPrivate Member's BillA member of parliament’s legislative motion, called a private member's bill or a member's bill in some parliaments, is a proposed law introduced by a member of a legislature. In most countries with a parliamentary system, most bills are proposed by the government, not by individual members of the...
s) and ministers. Bills are predominantly brought before parliament by ministers, because they have the Law Office of the Ministry of Justice at their disposal. Instead of putting forward a private bill, the opposition usually put forward a proposal for parliamentary decision, i.e., a short resolution that addresses the subject and directs the relevant minister to propose a bill concerning it.
List of Speakers of the Folketing
| From | To | Speaker of the Folketing | Years of living |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 January 1850 | 3 August 1852 | Carl Christoffer Georg Andræ Carl Christoffer Georg Andræ Carl Christoffer Georg Andræ was a Danish politician and mathematician. From 1842 until 1854, he was professor of mathematics and mechanics at the national military college. Andræ was elected to the Royal Danish Academy in 1853... , NL National Liberal Party (Denmark) The National Liberal Party , was a Danish political party or political movement from the 1830s until about 1880.Often considered "the first Danish political party" the National Liberals were gradually founded as the opposition against the Danish absolute monarchy... |
1812–1893 |
| 4 October 1852 | 12 June 1853 | Johan Nicolai Madvig Johan Nicolai Madvig Johan Nicolai Madvig , was a Danish philologist and Kultus Minister.He was born on the island of Bornholm. He was educated at the classical school of Frederiksborg and the University of Copenhagen. In 1828 he became reader, and in 1829 professor of Latin language and literature at Copenhagen, and... , NL National Liberal Party (Denmark) The National Liberal Party , was a Danish political party or political movement from the 1830s until about 1880.Often considered "the first Danish political party" the National Liberals were gradually founded as the opposition against the Danish absolute monarchy... |
1804–1886 |
| 13 June 1853 | 2 December 1859 | Carl Edvard Rotwitt Carl Edvard Rotwitt Carl Edvard Rotwitt was a Danish politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Denmark 1859-1860 as leader of the Cabinet of Rotwitt. He died while in office, only 47 years old.... , BV |
1812–1860 |
| 3 December 1859 | 2 December 1870 | Laurids Nørgaard Bregendahl, NL National Liberal Party (Denmark) The National Liberal Party , was a Danish political party or political movement from the 1830s until about 1880.Often considered "the first Danish political party" the National Liberals were gradually founded as the opposition against the Danish absolute monarchy... |
1811–1872 |
| 3 December 1870 | 30 September 1883 | Christopher Krabbe, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1833–1913 |
| 1 October 1883 | 2 October 1887Sofus Høgsbro, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... was acting speaker from 25 January to 24 July 1886 |
Christen Berg Christen Berg Christen Poulsen Berg was a Danish liberal politician and editor. Often just referred to as “C. Berg”.... , V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1829–1891 |
| 3 October 1887 | 16 December 1894 | Sofus Høgsbro, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1822–1902 |
| 17 December 1894 | 16 April 1895 | Rasmus Claussen, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1835–1905 |
| 17 April 1895 | 4 October 1901 | Sofus Høgsbro, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1822–1902 |
| 5 October 1901 | 30 January 1905 | Herman Trier, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1845–1925 |
| 31 January 1905 | 14 March 1912 | Anders Thomsen, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1842–1920 |
| 15 March 1912 | 13 June 1913 | Jens Christian Christensen, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1856–1930 |
| 14 June 1913 | 29 March 1922 | Niels Pedersen-Nyskov, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1850–1922 |
| 7 April 1922 | 10 April 1924 | Jørgen Jensen-Klejs, V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1863–1947 |
| 30 April 1924 | 24 November 1932 | Hans Peter Hansen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1872–1953 |
| 30 November 1932 | 1 May 1933 | Gerhard Nielsen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1871–1933 |
| 9 May 1933 | 30 October 1945 | Hans Rasmussen Hans Rasmussen Henry Florian Rasmussen was a pitcher for the Chicago Whales professional baseball team in 1915.-External links:... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1873–1949 |
| 22 November 1945 | 22 February 1950 | Julius Bomholt Julius Bomholt Julius Bomholt was a Danish politician representing the Social Democrats.He was a member of the Folketing 1929-1968 and served as speaker in 1945-1950 and again 1964-1968... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1896–1969 |
| 23 February 1950 | 22 September 1964 | Gustav Pedersen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1893–1975 |
| 6 October 1964 | 22 January 1968 | Julius Bomholt Julius Bomholt Julius Bomholt was a Danish politician representing the Social Democrats.He was a member of the Folketing 1929-1968 and served as speaker in 1945-1950 and again 1964-1968... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1896–1969 |
| 6 February 1968 | 30 September 1978 | Karl Skytte Karl Skytte Karl Skytte , was a Danish politician, member of Folketinget for the Social Liberal Party 1947-1978, and farmer. As Minister for Agriculture 1957-1964, he had only limited success in resisting the pressure for structural development of the sector resulting in the abandonment of many small farms... , B Det Radikale Venstre The Danish Social Liberal Party is a social liberal political party in Denmark. The party is a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.-Origin:... |
1908–1986 |
| 3 October 1978 | 8 December 1981 | Knud Børge Andersen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1914–1984 |
| 22 December 1981 | 10 January 1989 | Svend Jakobsen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
b. 1935 |
| 10 January 1989 | 3 October 1989 | Erik Ninn-Hansen Erik Ninn-Hansen Erik Ninn-Hansen is a Danish politician. He served in the Cabinet of Hilmar Baunsgaard, first as Defence Minister, and later as Finance Minister... , C Conservative People's Party (Denmark) The Conservative People's Party , also known as Conservatives is a Danish political party.-History:The party was founded 1915 based mostly on its predecessor, Højre , but also on the Free Conservatives and a moderate faction of Venstre , the liberals.The party has participated in several coalition... |
b. 1922 |
| 3 October 1989 | 15 January 1993 | H. P. Clausen, C Conservative People's Party (Denmark) The Conservative People's Party , also known as Conservatives is a Danish political party.-History:The party was founded 1915 based mostly on its predecessor, Højre , but also on the Free Conservatives and a moderate faction of Venstre , the liberals.The party has participated in several coalition... |
1928–1998 |
| 27 January 1993 | 5 October 1994 | Henning Rasmussen, S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1926–1997 |
| 5 October 1994 | 11 March 1998 | Erling Olsen Erling Olsen Erling Olsen was a Danish politician for the Social Democrats. He was member of parliament 1964–66, 1971–73 and 1975–98, and was minister of housing 1978–82 and minister of justice 1993–94. Olsen was Speaker of the Folketing from 1994 to 1998. He was professor of national economics and the first... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
1927–2011 |
| 26 March 1998 | 11 March 2003†Ivar Hansen died in office. His successor was not appointed immediately, and in the meantime Svend Auken Svend Auken Svend Gunnarsen Auken was a Danish politician. He represented the Social Democrats as a member of the Danish parliament from 1971 until his death.... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... was acting speaker. |
Ivar Hansen Ivar Hansen Ivar Hansen was a Danish politician from the Liberal party Venstre.He was elected to the Folketing in 1973. 1978-1979 he was Minister of Public Works in the Anker Jørgensen cabinet. In 1998 he became speaker of the Folketing defeating his Social Democrat rival, Birte Weiss, after a drawing of lots... , V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
1938–2003 |
| 18 March 2003 | 13 November 2007 | Christian Mejdahl Christian Mejdahl Christian Mejdahl is a Danish politician representing the liberal party, Venstre. He was a Member of Parliament—the Folketing—from 9 September 1987 to 13 November 2007, and served as Speaker of Parliament from 18 March 2003.He lives in Løgstør in Himmerland.-References:... , V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
b. 1939 |
| 28 November 2007 | 4 October 2011 | Thor Pedersen Thor Pedersen Thor Pedersen is a Danish politician representing the Liberal party, Venstre. He was Finance Minister from 27 November 2001 to 23 November 2007 as part of the Cabinets of Anders Fogh Rasmussen I and II... , V Venstre (Denmark) VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark... |
b. 1945 |
| 4 October 2011 | Incumbent | Mogens Lykketoft Mogens Lykketoft Mogens Lykketoft is a Danish politician, former government minister and current Speaker of the Folketing. In December 2002 he succeeded former Danish prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen as leader of the Social Democratic party .... , S Social Democrats (Denmark) The Social Democrats , is a Danish political party committed to the political ideology of social democracy. It is the major coalition partner in Denmark's government since the 2011 parliamentary election, and party leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark... |
b. 1946 |
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See also
- Cabinet of Denmark
- Elections in DenmarkElections in DenmarkElections in Denmark gives information on elections and election results in Denmark. Denmark has a multi-party system. Elections normally result in two strong parties....
- List of Prime Ministers of Denmark
- LøgtingLøgtingLøgting is the unicameral parliament of the Faroe Islands, a self-ruling dependency of Denmark.The name literally means "Law Thing" - that is, a law assembly - and derives from Old Norse lǫgþing, which was a name given to ancient assemblies. A ting or Þing has existed on the Faroe Islands for over...
- Faroe IslandsFaroe IslandsThe Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland... - LandstingParliament of GreenlandThe Parliament of Greenland is the legislature in the government of Greenland, an autonomous province of Denmark. The government of Greenland is also called Home Rule of Greenland. 16 seats are needed for a majority....
- GreenlandGreenlandGreenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for... - Politics of DenmarkPolitics of DenmarkThe Politics of Denmark takes place in a framework of a parliamentary, representative democratic, constitutional monarchy, in which the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system...