Danish People's Party, First
Encyclopedia
The Danish People's Party was a political party
in Denmark
during the German occupation
in World War II
. It was formed on March 1, 1941 by former members of the Nazi DNSAP, as well as some politicians originally from the liberal Danmarks Retsforbund
, the Conservative People's Party
and the Social Democratic Party
. The party supported a corporativist state and was anti-communist.
The first leader of the party was Victor Pürschel, a former conservative MP and deputy spokesman. Wilfred Petersen quickly became the new leader of the party which was then influenced by his sympathies for Nazism
and anti-semitism
. However, this caused Victor Pürschel and other leading members to leave the party during 1943. This reduced Danish People's Party to a historical footnote
that was soon forgotten. After the war, some of its founders were convicted for unnational behaviour.
When the current Danish People's Party
were founded in 1995, opponents drew attention to the fact that the name had been used in the past by a Nazi-friendly party. Representatives of the new Danish People's Party, however, rejected any connection with the wartime party, largely unknown by 1995, and said they regarded the coincidence as unimportant.
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...
in 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...
during the German occupation
Occupation of Denmark
Nazi Germany's occupation of Denmark began with Operation Weserübung on 9 April 1940, and lasted until German forces withdrew at the end of World War II following their surrender to the Allies on 5 May 1945. Contrary to the situation in other countries under German occupation, most Danish...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was formed on March 1, 1941 by former members of the Nazi DNSAP, as well as some politicians originally from the liberal Danmarks Retsforbund
Justice Party of Denmark
Danmarks Retsforbund was founded in 1919. The party's platform is based upon the principles of U.S. economist Henry George who advocated a single tax on all land...
, 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...
and the Social Democratic Party
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 party supported a corporativist state and was anti-communist.
The first leader of the party was Victor Pürschel, a former conservative MP and deputy spokesman. Wilfred Petersen quickly became the new leader of the party which was then influenced by his sympathies for Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
and anti-semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
. However, this caused Victor Pürschel and other leading members to leave the party during 1943. This reduced Danish People's Party to a historical footnote
Footnote
A note is a string of text placed at the bottom of a page in a book or document or at the end of a text. The note can provide an author's comments on the main text or citations of a reference work in support of the text, or both...
that was soon forgotten. After the war, some of its founders were convicted for unnational behaviour.
When the current 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...
were founded in 1995, opponents drew attention to the fact that the name had been used in the past by a Nazi-friendly party. Representatives of the new Danish People's Party, however, rejected any connection with the wartime party, largely unknown by 1995, and said they regarded the coincidence as unimportant.