Constitution of Denmark

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Denmark

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Constitution

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The Constitutional Act of the Kingdom of Denmark (Danish: Danmarks Riges Grundlov) was introduced on June 5, 1849 and effectively put an end to the absolute monarchy which had been introduced in 1660.

The Constitution of 1849 established a bicameral parliament, the Rigsdag, consisting of the Landsting and the Folketing. The constitution severely limited the monarch's power and secured basic human rights; the most recent amendment in 1953 abolished the Landsting and enabled women to inherit the throne.

[edit] History

Enjoying great popularity from saving Denmark from total defeat following Swedish Charles X Gustav's occupation of Zealand, King Frederick III of Denmark established absolutism for himself in 1660, with the corresponding inheritance jurisdiction following in 1661. Thus, the absolute power was passed on along with the succession of the Danish monarchs until Frederick VII. However, the absolute monarchy had proved financially weak, and international pressure was brewing following the French Revolution (1789-1799); the monarchy had loosened its grip during the late 18th century, but Frederick VII, without special interest in politics and upon advice from his father, Christian VIII, agreed to sign the new constitution into law on June 5, 1849.

[edit] Gallery

The Constitution of 1849

The National Constitutional Assembly (painting by Constantin Hansen)(Frederiksborg Catsle, Hillerød)

(Frederiksborg Catsle, Hillerød)

[edit] External links

• Details on the Constitution from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Blog series in English analyzing the Danish Constitution
• English version of the Danish Constitution