Minister of Defence (Denmark)

Minister of Defence
Forsvarsminister
Standard of the Minister of Defence
since 22 August 2023
Ministry of Defence
TypeMinister
Member of
Reports tothe Prime minister
SeatSlotsholmen
AppointerThe Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Constituting instrumentForsvarsloven
PrecursorMinister for the Navy
Minister of War
Formation5 September 1905; 120 years ago (1905-09-05)
First holderJ.C. Christensen
Successiondepending on the order in the State Council
DeputyPermanent Secretary of State for Defence
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Minister of Defence of Denmark (Danish: Forsvarsminister, pronounced [ˈfɒːsvɑsmiˌnistɐ]) is the politically appointed head of the Danish Ministry of Defence. The Minister of Defence is responsible for the Danish Armed Forces, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service and the Danish Emergency Management Agency.

The Minister of Defence follows the directions given by the Prime Minister of Denmark and the decisions of the Folketing. The Danish Defence Law (Danish: Forsvarsloven) designates in article 9 the Minister of Defence as the supreme authority in Defence (Danish: højeste ansvarlige myndighed for forsvaret). Under the Minister is the Chief of Defence, the senior-ranking professional military officer heading the Defence Command, who commands the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and other units not reporting directly to the Ministry of Defence.[1][2]

The main responsibilities of the Minister of Defence are to prevent armed conflicts and war, to safeguard the sovereignty of Denmark and integrity of Danish territory and to promote global peace and stability. Since 2002, these responsibilities have included the political leadership of the Danish contribution to the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

The current Defence Minister is Troels Lund Poulsen.

History

In 1905, the offices of the Minister for the Navy and the Minister of War were merged to create the current office of Defence Minister.[3]

List of ministers of defence

Christian IX (1863–1906)

No. Portrait Name
(born–died) 		Term of office Political party Cabinet Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Jens Christian Christensen
(1856–1930) 		5 September 1905 12 October 1908 3 years, 37 days Venstre Reform Party Christensen I–II [4][5]

Frederick VIII (1906–1912)

No. Portrait Name
(born–died) 		Term of office Political party Cabinet Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
2 Niels Neergaard
(1854–1936) 		12 October 1908 16 September 1909 339 days Moderate Venstre Neergaard I [6]
(1) Jens Christian Christensen
(1856–1930) 		16 September 1909 18 October 1909 32 days Venstre Reform Party Holstein-Ledreborg [7]
3 Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg
(1839–1912) 		18 October 1909 28 October 1909 10 days Independent Holstein-Ledreborg [7]
4 Christopher Krabbe [da]
(1833–1913) 		28 October 1909 5 July 1910 250 days Social Liberal Zahle I [8]
5 Klaus Berntsen
(1844–1927) 		5 July 1910 21 June 1913 2 years, 351 days Venstre Berntsen [9]

Christian X (1912–1947)

No. Portrait Name
(birth–death) 		Term of office Political party Cabinet Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
6 Peter Rochegune Munch
(1870–1948) 		21 June 1913 30 March 1920 6 years, 283 days Social Liberal Zahle II [10]
7 Henri Konow
(1862–1939) 		30 March 1920 5 April 1920 6 days Independent Liebe [11]
8 Michael Pedersen Friis
(1857–1944) 		5 April 1920 5 May 1920 30 days Independent Friis [12]
9 Klaus Berntsen
(1844–1927) 		5 May 1920 9 October 1922 2 years, 157 days Venstre Neergaard II [13]
10 Søren Brorsen
(1875–1961) 		9 October 1922 23 April 1924 1 year, 197 days Venstre Neergaard III [14]
11 Laust Rasmussen [da]
(1862–1941) 		23 April 1924 14 December 1926 2 years, 235 days Social Democrats Stauning I [15]
(10) Søren Brorsen
(1875–1961) 		14 December 1926 30 April 1929 2 years, 137 days Venstre Madsen-Mygdal [16]
(11) Laust Rasmussen [da]
(1862–1941) 		30 April 1929 24 November 1932 3 years, 208 days Social Democrats Stauning II [17]
12 Hans Peter Hansen
(1872–1953) 		24 November 1932 31 May 1933 188 days Social Democrats Stauning II [17]
13 Thorvald Stauning
(1873–1942) 		31 May 1933 4 November 1935 2 years, 157 days Social Democrats Stauning II [17]
14 Alsing Andersen
(1893–1962) 		4 November 1935 8 July 1940 4 years, 247 days Social Democrats Stauning III–IV–V [18][19]
[20]
(10) Søren Brorsen
(1875–1961) 		8 July 1940 29 August 1943 3 years, 52 days Venstre Stauning VI
Buhl I
Scavenius 		[21][22]
[23]
No Danish government in between August 29, 1943 (1943-08-29) and May 5, 1945 (1945-05-05). Office is assumed by the permanent secretary.[a]
15 Ole Bjørn Kraft
(1893–1980) 		5 May 1945 7 November 1945 186 days Conservative People's Party Buhl II [24]
16 Harald Petersen
(1893–1970) 		7 November 1945 13 November 1947 2 years, 6 days Venstre Kristensen [25]

Frederick IX (1947–1972)

No. Portrait Name
(birth–death) 		Term of office Political party Cabinet Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
17 Hans Rasmus Hansen
(1896–1971) 		13 November 1947 30 October 1950 3 years, 17 days Social Democrats Hedtoft I–II [26][27]
(16) Harald Petersen
(1893–1970) 		30 October 1950 30 September 1953 2 years, 335 days Venstre Eriksen [28]
(17) Hans Rasmus Hansen
(1896–1971) 		30 September 1953 25 May 1956 2 years, 238 days Social Democrats Hedtoft III
Hansen I 		[29][30]
18 Poul Hansen
(1913–1966) 		8 October 1958 15 November 1962 4 years, 38 days Social Democrats Hansen I–II
Kampmann I–II
Krag I 		[30][31]
[32][33]
[34]
19 Victor Gram
(1910–1969) 		15 November 1962 2 February 1968 5 years, 79 days Social Democrats Krag I–II [34][35]
20 Erik Ninn-Hansen
(1922–2014) 		2 February 1968 17 March 1971 3 years, 43 days Conservative People's Party Baunsgaard [36]
21 Knud Østergaard [da]
(1922–1993) 		17 March 1971 11 October 1971 208 days Conservative People's Party Baunsgaard [36]
37 Kjeld Olesen
(1932–2024) 		11 October 1971 27 September 1973 1 year, 351 days Social Democrats Krag III
Jørgensen I 		[37][38]

Margrethe II (1972–present)

No. Portrait Name
(birth–death) 		Term of office Political party Cabinet Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
23
Orla Møller
Møller, OrlaOrla Møller
(1916–1979)		27 September 197319 December 197383 days Social DemocratsJørgensen I
24
Erling Brøndum
Brøndum, ErlingErling Brøndum
(1930–2017)		19 December 197313 February 19751 year, 56 days VenstreHartling
(23)
Orla Møller
Møller, OrlaOrla Møller
(1916–1979)		13 February 19751 October 19772 years, 230 days Social DemocratsJørgensen II
25
Poul Søgaard
Søgaard, PoulPoul Søgaard
(1923–2016)		1 October 197710 September 19824 years, 344 days Social DemocratsJørgensen II–III–IV–V
26
Hans Engell
Engell, HansHans Engell
(born 1948)		10 September 198210 September 19875 years, 0 days ConservativesSchlüter I
27
Bernt Johan Collet
Collet, Bernt JohanBernt Johan Collet
(born 1941)		10 September 19873 June 1988267 days ConservativesSchlüter II
28
Knud Enggaard
Enggaard, KnudKnud Enggaard
(1929–2024)		3 June 198825 January 19934 years, 236 days VenstreSchlüter III–Schlüter IV
29
Hans Hækkerup
Hækkerup, HansHans Hækkerup
(1945–2013)		25 January 199321 December 20007 years, 331 days Social DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen I–II–III–IV
30
Jan Trøjborg
Trøjborg, JanJan Trøjborg
(1955–2012)		21 December 200027 November 2001341 days Social DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen IV
31
Svend Aage Jensby
Jensby, Svend AageSvend Aage Jensby
(born 1940)		27 November 200124 April 20042 years, 149 days VenstreA. F. Rasmussen I
32
Søren Gade
Gade, SørenSøren Gade
(born 1963)		24 April 200423 February 20105 years, 305 days VenstreA. F. Rasmussen I–II–III
L. L. Rasmussen I
33
Gitte Lillelund Bech
Bech, Gitte LillelundGitte Lillelund Bech
(born 1969)		23 February 20103 October 20111 year, 222 days VenstreL. L. Rasmussen I
34
Nick Hækkerup
Hækkerup, NickNick Hækkerup
(born 1968)		3 October 20119 August 20131 year, 310 days Social DemocratsThorning-Schmidt I
35
Nicolai Wammen
Wammen, NicolaiNicolai Wammen
(born 1971)		9 August 201328 June 20151 year, 323 days Social DemocratsThorning-Schmidt I–II
36
Carl Holst
Holst, CarlCarl Holst
(born 1970)		28 June 201530 September 201594 days VenstreL. L. Rasmussen II
37
Peter Christensen
Christensen, PeterPeter Christensen
(1975–2025)		30 September 201528 November 20161 year, 59 days VenstreL. L. Rasmussen II
38
Claus Hjort Frederiksen
Frederiksen, Claus HjortClaus Hjort Frederiksen
(born 1947)		28 November 201627 June 20192 years, 211 days VenstreL. L. Rasmussen III
39
Trine Bramsen
Bramsen, TrineTrine Bramsen
(born 1981)		27 June 20194 February 20222 years, 222 days Social DemocratsFrederiksen I
40
Morten Bødskov
Morten Bødskov
(born 1970)		4 February 202215 December 2022314 days Social DemocratsFrederiksen I
41
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen
(born 1973)		15 December 20226 February 202353 days VenstreFrederiksen II[39]
–
Troels Lund Poulsen
Troels Lund Poulsen
(born 1976)
Acting		6 February 20231 August 2023176 days VenstreFrederiksen II[39]
41
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen
Jakob Ellemann-Jensen
(born 1973)		1 August 202222 August 202321 days VenstreFrederiksen II[39]
42
Troels Lund Poulsen
Troels Lund Poulsen
(born 1976)		22 August 2023Incumbent2 years, 149 days VenstreFrederiksen II[40]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ On 29 August 1943, the Danish government resigned, refusing to grant further concessions to Nazi Germany. All government operations were assumed by the permanent secretaries of the individual departments, and this arrangement lasted until the Liberation of Denmark on 5 May 1945. Since King Christian X never accepted the resignation of the government, it existed de jure until a new cabinet was formed on 5 May 1945.

References

  1. ^ "LOV nr 122 af 27/02/2001 om forsvarets formål, opgaver og organisation m.v." (in Danish). Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Facts and Figures" (PDF). Danish Defence. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Ministre gennem tiderne" (in Danish).
  4. ^ "Regeringen Christensen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  5. ^ "Regeringen Christensen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Regeringen Neergaard I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Regeringen Holstein-Ledreborg". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Regeringen Zahle I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Regeringen Berntsen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Regeringen Zahle II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Regeringen Liebe". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Regeringen Friis". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Regeringen Neergaard II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Regeringen Neergaard III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Regeringen Stauning I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Regeringen Madsen-Mygdal". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  17. ^ a b c "Regeringen Stauning II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Regeringen Stauning III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Regeringen Stauning IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Regeringen Stauning V". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Regeringen Stauning VI". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Regeringen Buhl I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Regeringen Scavenius". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Regeringen Buhl II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  25. ^ "Regeringen Knud Kristensen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Regeringen Hedtoft I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  27. ^ "Regeringen Hedtoft II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Regeringen Erik Eriksen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  29. ^ "Regeringen Hedtoft III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Regeringen H.C. Hansen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  31. ^ "Regeringen H.C. Hansen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  33. ^ "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  35. ^ "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  36. ^ a b "Regeringen Hilmar Baunsgaard". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  37. ^ "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  38. ^ "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  39. ^ a b c Bohr, Jakob Kjøgx (6 February 2023). "Jakob Ellemann-Jensen sygemeldt på ubestemt tid". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish). TV2. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  40. ^ Haugaard, Mie (22 August 2023). "Jakob Ellemann og Troels Lund Poulsen bytter roller i regeringen". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 22 August 2023.
allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Minister_of_Defence_(Denmark)