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Conservative People's Party (Denmark)
Encyclopedia
The Conservative People's Party , also known as Conservatives (Konservative) is a Danish
political party
.
(Right), but also on the Free Conservatives
and a moderate faction of Venstre
(Left), the liberals.
The party has participated in several coalition government
s, but only one Prime Minister (statsminister in Danish), Poul Schlüter
, has come from this party, serving from 1982 to 1993.
The youth branch of the Conservative People's Party, albeit an independent organisation, is Young Conservatives
, the earliest formed youth organisation in Denmark, founded in December 1904, and believed to be one of the oldest in the world, preceding the Conservative People's Party by 10 years. The student branch is Conservative Students
, likewise an independent organisation, which has branches at all Danish Universities.
In 2001–2011, the Conservative People's Party was the junior partner in a coalition government led by Venstre
(literally "left", but in Denmark meaning "Liberals"). The Conservative People's Party is currently led by Lars Barfoed
, who served as Justice Minister from 2010 to 2011.
The party is a member of the European People's Party
(EPP). In the 2004 election
for the European Parliament
, the party won a seat. The member is currently Bendt Bendtsen
, who is a member of the EPP group.
In the 2011 election for the Folketing
(Danish national parliament), the Conservative People's Party won 8 seats, ten fewer than it had won in the previous election
, and it received 4.9% of the vote. In the 2011 election, it was placed eighth behind Venstre
, the Social Democrats
, the Danish People's Party
, the Socialist People's Party
, the Red-Green Alliance and the Liberal Alliance
.
are currently speaking of the possibility of a broad centrist coalition including the Conservatives, the Conservatives appear to remain committed to a right-of-centre alliance, working most closely with the liberal Venstre and somewhat less closely with the Danish People's Party
. The Conservatives did cooperate with the Social Liberals during its time in power in the 1980s and also cooperated with the centre-left government under Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
in the 1990s.
in a land of social democracy
, but it is not considered an especially radical
party, being quite moderated by the popularity of the welfare state
in Denmark. Thus, the Conservative People's Party is somewhat close to the mainstream of European conservatives, with an extra liberal
streak. Comparisons could be drawn with the reformists within the Sarkozy government in France or David Cameron
's Conservatives
in the United Kingdom.
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...
political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
.
History
The party was founded 1915 based mostly on its predecessor, HøjreHøjre
Højre was the name of two Danish political parties of Conservative persuasion.The first Højre party existed from 1848 to 1866....
(Right), but also on the Free Conservatives
Free Conservatives
The Free Conservatives was a political party in Denmark, with significant influence in the political life of the country in the early 20th century, especially during the J. C. Christensen cabinet. The main leader of the party was Count Mogens Frijs-Frijsenborg. Other prominent figures were Tage...
and a moderate faction of 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...
(Left), the liberals.
The party has participated in several coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
s, but only one Prime Minister (statsminister in Danish), Poul Schlüter
Poul Schlüter
Poul Holmskov Schlüter is a Danish politician, who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1982 to 1993.Born in Tønder, south Jutland, he graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1957 with a degree in law, and joined the bar in 1960. Schlüter was a member of the Danish Parliament for the...
, has come from this party, serving from 1982 to 1993.
The youth branch of the Conservative People's Party, albeit an independent organisation, is Young Conservatives
Young Conservatives (Denmark)
Young Conservatives is the youth wing of the Conservative People's Party of Denmark, and the oldest political youth organization in the world. KU is considered an institution in Danish youth politics and often seen as a rebellious and ideological watchdog of the mother-party...
, the earliest formed youth organisation in Denmark, founded in December 1904, and believed to be one of the oldest in the world, preceding the Conservative People's Party by 10 years. The student branch is Conservative Students
Conservative Students (Denmark)
Conservative Students is the student wing of the Conservative People's Party in Denmark. It has branch organizations at both the Danish universities.-External links:**...
, likewise an independent organisation, which has branches at all Danish Universities.
In 2001–2011, the Conservative People's Party was the junior partner in a coalition government led by 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...
(literally "left", but in Denmark meaning "Liberals"). The Conservative People's Party is currently led by 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...
, who served as Justice Minister from 2010 to 2011.
The party is a member of the European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP). In the 2004 election
European Parliament election, 2004
Elections to the European Parliament were held from 10 June 2004 to 13 June 2004 in the 25 member states of the European Union, using varying election days according to local custom...
for the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, the party won a seat. The member is currently Bendt Bendtsen
Bendt Bendtsen
Bendt Bendtsen is a Danish Member of the European Parliament. He was the leader of the Conservative People's Party from 1999 to 2008. He was the Minister of Trade and Industry from 2001 to 2008 under Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen....
, who is a member of the EPP group.
In the 2011 election for the Folketing
Folketing
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....
(Danish national parliament), the Conservative People's Party won 8 seats, ten fewer than it had won in the previous election
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...
, and it received 4.9% of the vote. In the 2011 election, it was placed eighth behind 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...
, 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...
, the 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...
, 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...
, the Red-Green Alliance and the Liberal Alliance
Liberal Alliance
Liberal Alliance may stand for:*Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, a political grouping in the European Parliament*Liberal Alliance of Montenegro, a political party active in Montenegro...
.
Relationship to other parties
Although the Social DemocratsSocial 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...
are currently speaking of the possibility of a broad centrist coalition including the Conservatives, the Conservatives appear to remain committed to a right-of-centre alliance, working most closely with the liberal Venstre and somewhat less closely with the 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...
. The Conservatives did cooperate with the Social Liberals during its time in power in the 1980s and also cooperated with the centre-left government under Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen , informally Poul Nyrup, born 15 June 1943), was Prime Minister of Denmark from 25 January 1993 to 27 November 2001 and is currently President of the Party of European Socialists . He was the leader of the governing Social Democrats from 1992 to 2002...
in the 1990s.
International comparison
The Conservative People's Party is a party that extolls the virtues of capitalismCapitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
in a land of social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
, but it is not considered an especially radical
Political radicalism
The term political radicalism denotes political principles focused on altering social structures through revolutionary means and changing value systems in fundamental ways...
party, being quite moderated by the popularity of the welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
in Denmark. Thus, the Conservative People's Party is somewhat close to the mainstream of European conservatives, with an extra 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,...
streak. Comparisons could be drawn with the reformists within the Sarkozy government in France or David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
's Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in the United Kingdom.
Political leaders
| John Christmas Møller John Christmas Møller Guido Leo John Christmas Møller, usually known as Christmas Møller was a Danish politician representing the Conservative People's Party.-Life:... |
1928–1947 |
| Ole Bjørn Kraft | 1947–1955 |
| Aksel Møller | 1955–1958 |
| Poul Sørensen Poul Sørensen Poul Sørensen is a former Danish handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.He played his club handball with Rødovre HK. In 1984 he finished fourth with the Denmark national handball team in the Olympic tournament. He played all six matches as goalkeeper.-References:... |
1958–1969 |
| Poul Møller | 1969–1971 |
| 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... |
1971–1974 |
| Poul Schlüter Poul Schlüter Poul Holmskov Schlüter is a Danish politician, who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1982 to 1993.Born in Tønder, south Jutland, he graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1957 with a degree in law, and joined the bar in 1960. Schlüter was a member of the Danish Parliament for the... |
1974–1993 |
| Henning Dyremose | 1993 |
| Hans Engell Hans Engell Hans Engell is a Danish former politician and journalist, who until 6 September 2007 was the editor-in-chief of the tabloid Ekstra Bladet, a position he had held for seven years... |
1993–1997 |
| Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller was Culture Minister of Denmark. He has been a member of Folketinget for the Conservative People's Party since 1984, and was Minister for the Environment from December 18, 1990 to January 24, 1993 as part of the Cabinet of Poul Schlüter IV and Foreign Minister from November 27,... |
1997–1998 |
| Pia Christmas-Møller Pia Christmas-Møller Pia Christmas-Møller is a Danish politician, a member of parliament since 1987. She represented the Conservative People's Party from 1987 until 2007 and led her party between 1998 and 1999, but now sits as an Independent.... |
1998–1999 |
| Bendt Bendtsen Bendt Bendtsen Bendt Bendtsen is a Danish Member of the European Parliament. He was the leader of the Conservative People's Party from 1999 to 2008. He was the Minister of Trade and Industry from 2001 to 2008 under Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.... |
1999–2008 |
| 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... |
2008–2011 |
| 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... |
2011- |
Party chairmen
| Emil Piper | 1916-28 |
| Charles Tvede | 1928-32 |
| John Christmas Møller John Christmas Møller Guido Leo John Christmas Møller, usually known as Christmas Møller was a Danish politician representing the Conservative People's Party.-Life:... |
1932-39 |
| Vilhelm Fibiger | 1939-48 |
| Halfdan Hendriksen | 1948-57 |
| Einar Foss | 1957-65 |
| Knud Thestrup | 1965-72 |
| Erik Haunstrup Clemmensen | 1972-74 |
| Poul Schlüter Poul Schlüter Poul Holmskov Schlüter is a Danish politician, who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1982 to 1993.Born in Tønder, south Jutland, he graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1957 with a degree in law, and joined the bar in 1960. Schlüter was a member of the Danish Parliament for the... |
1974-77 |
| Ib Stetter | 1977-81 |
| Poul Schlüter Poul Schlüter Poul Holmskov Schlüter is a Danish politician, who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1982 to 1993.Born in Tønder, south Jutland, he graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 1957 with a degree in law, and joined the bar in 1960. Schlüter was a member of the Danish Parliament for the... |
1981-93 |
| Torben Rechendorff | 1993-95 |
| Hans Engell Hans Engell Hans Engell is a Danish former politician and journalist, who until 6 September 2007 was the editor-in-chief of the tabloid Ekstra Bladet, a position he had held for seven years... |
1995-97 |
| Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller was Culture Minister of Denmark. He has been a member of Folketinget for the Conservative People's Party since 1984, and was Minister for the Environment from December 18, 1990 to January 24, 1993 as part of the Cabinet of Poul Schlüter IV and Foreign Minister from November 27,... |
1997-98 |
| Poul Andreassen | 1998-00 |
| Bendt Bendtsen Bendt Bendtsen Bendt Bendtsen is a Danish Member of the European Parliament. He was the leader of the Conservative People's Party from 1999 to 2008. He was the Minister of Trade and Industry from 2001 to 2008 under Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen.... |
2000-08 |
| 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... |
2008-11 |
Youth and student wings
- Young ConservativesYoung Conservatives (Denmark)Young Conservatives is the youth wing of the Conservative People's Party of Denmark, and the oldest political youth organization in the world. KU is considered an institution in Danish youth politics and often seen as a rebellious and ideological watchdog of the mother-party...
(Konservativ Ungdom) - Conservative StudentsConservative Students (Denmark)Conservative Students is the student wing of the Conservative People's Party in Denmark. It has branch organizations at both the Danish universities.-External links:**...
(Konservative Studerende)
Notable members
- John Christmas MøllerJohn Christmas MøllerGuido Leo John Christmas Møller, usually known as Christmas Møller was a Danish politician representing the Conservative People's Party.-Life:...
- Wartime resistance figure. - Connie HedegaardConnie HedegaardConnie Hedegaard is a Danish politician and public intellectual who has been European Commissioner for Climate Action in the European Commission since 10 February 2010....
- Appointed as the European Union'sEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
first ever European Commissioner for Climate ActionEuropean Commissioner for Climate ActionThe Commissioner for Cimate Action is a new post in the European Commission. It was created in 2010, being split from the environmental portfolio to focus on fighting climate change. The current Commissioner is Connie Hedegaard....
in February 2010February 2010February 2010 was the second month of that year. It began on a Monday and ended after 28 days on a Sunday.-Portal:Current events:This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from February 2010.-References:...
, Hedegaard was elected to the Danish Parliament as a member for the Conservative People's Party in 1984 at the age of 23, becoming the youngest Danish MP ever at that time. In 1989, Hedegaard became first spokesperson for the Conservative People's Party, but left politics for journalismJournalismJournalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
in 1990. (Retrieved 15:53, 18 March 2011 (UTC))