K. B. Andersen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Knud Børge Andersen (1914 - 23 March 1984) began his career as a journalist, but switched to politics in 1947, being elected to the Folketing as a Social Democrat. He served in the Folketing until 1981, after serving as it's Chairman for three years. Andersen served as Minister of Education from, 1964 to 1968; and as Foreign Minister, from 1971 to 1973 and 1975 to 1978. As Foreign Minister he became well know in European foreign affairs circles, and was invited to the Bilderberg Conference. At a NATO council in December 1972, Andersen received heavy criticism from Sir Alec Douglas-Home, William P. Rogers, and NATO's Secretary General, for Denmark's 8 percent reduction in their defense budget. This was at a time when the more powerful nations of Europe were calling for an increase in military spending.

He was acting Prime Minister for a short while.

Andersen was President of the European Economic Community Council of Ministers in 1978. During this time he was involved in the economic sanctions against South Africa.

He was a critic of Denmark's political system. His belief was that the large number of political parties in Denmark made for political instability and for difficulty in forming coalition governments.

Political offices
Preceded by Kristen Helveg Petersen	Education Minister of Denmark 26 September 1964 – 2 February 1968	Succeeded by Helge Larsen
Preceded by Poul Hartling	Foreign Minister of Denmark 11 October 1971 – 19 December 1973	Succeeded by Ove Guldberg
Preceded by Ove Guldberg	Foreign Minister of Denmark 13 February 1975 – 1 July 1978	Succeeded by Anker Jørgensen
Preceded by Karl Skytte	Speaker of the Folketing October 3, 1978 – December 8, 1981	Succeeded by Svend Jakobsen