Scavenius Cabinet

Scavenius

41st Cabinet of Denmark
Date formed9 November 1942 (1942-11-09)
Date dissolved5 May 1945 (1945-05-05)
People and organisations
Head of stateChristian X of Denmark
Head of governmentErik Scavenius
Status in legislatureUnity government
History
PredecessorBuhl I
SuccessorBuhl II

The Scavenius cabinet was the government of Denmark from 9 November 1942 to 5 May 1945. It replaced the first Buhl cabinet, which collapsed due to the Telegram Crisis in November 1942, when the Germans demanded changes to the Danish government. The Germans wanted nonpolitical ministers and Nazi ministers in the new government, however, only the first demand was met.

Following the August Rebellion [da] in 1943, the Germans put forward more demands, which the Danish authorities refused. The government therefore filed a resignation request for the King on 29 August 1943, who refused to accept it. The government de facto ceased to function, though still formally in power. The Board of Permanent Secretaries [da] was established, where the permanent secretaries of the ministries managed the country. Only after the liberation of 5 May 1945, were the resignation accepted, and the Scavenius cabinet and Board of permanent secretaries were replaced by the second Buhl cabinet.

List of ministers and portfolios

Cabinet members
Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party Ref
Prime Minister &
Minister of Foreign Affairs
9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of Finance9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of Defence9 November 19425 May 1945 Venstre[1]
Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of Education9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of Justice9 July 19415 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of the Interior9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Liberals[1]
Minister of Public Works9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent[1]
Minister of Traffic9 November 19425 May 1945 Venstre[1]
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats[1]
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Seafaring9 November 19425 May 1945 Conservatives[1]
Minister of Labour9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats[1]
Ministry of Social Affairs9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Regeringen Scavenius". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.