Erik Eriksen

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This article is about the Danish politician. For the explorer and inventor, see Erik Eriksen (explorer).

Erik Eriksen
Prime Minister of Denmark
In office October 30, 1950 – September 30, 1953
Preceded by	Hans Hedtoft
Succeeded by	Hans Hedtoft

Born	November 20, 1902 Ringe
Died	October 7, 1972
Political party	Venstre

Erik Eriksen (November 20, 1902 - October 7, 1972) is a former Prime Minister of Denmark. Eriksen was leader of the Danish Liberal party Venstre from 1950 to 1965. He served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 30 October 1950 to 30 September 1953 as leader of the Cabinet of Erik Eriksen forming a minority government of Venstre and the Conservative People's Party. Erik Eriksen was a farmer by profession.

The main accomplishment by his government was a revision of the Danish constitution, voted into law in a referendum held in 1953 simultaneously with the parliamentary elections. The former Venstre leader and former Prime Minister Knud Kristensen had broken away from Venstre to form his own party, De Uafhængige. This was one of reasons why the social democrat Hans Hedtoft was able to secure the parliamentary support to replace Erik Eriksen as Prime Minister and form the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft.

After 1953 Eriksen continued as the leader of the opposition but in the long run his consequent alliance with the Conservatives proved an obstacle to a co-operation with Det Radikale Venstre. He therefore resigned as the leader of his party 1965 and was replaced by Poul Hartling.

[edit] References

Kristian Hvidt, Statsministre i Danmark fra 1913 til 1995 (1995)

Political offices
Preceded by: Hans Hedtoft	Prime Minister of Denmark October 30, 1950 – September 30, 1953	Succeeded by: Hans Hedtoft
Preceded by: Edvard Sørensen	Leader of Venstre 1950 – 1965	Succeeded by: Poul Hartling