H. C. Hansen

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Hans Christian Hansen

In office
February 1, 1955 – February 19, 1960
Preceded by Hans Hedtoft
Succeeded by Viggo Kampmann

Born November 8, 1906(1906-11-08)
Aarhus, Denmark
Died February 19, 1960 (aged 53)
Copenhagen
Political party Social Democrats

Hans Christian Svane Hansen (November 8, 1906February 19, 1960), often known as H. C. Hansen or simply H. C., was a social democrat and Prime Minister of Denmark from 29 January 1955 to 19 February 1960 as the head of the Cabinet of H. C. Hansen I and II. Before becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also served as Finance Minister in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft I and Foreign Minister in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II.

As Foreign Minister, H. C. Hansen was seen as the natural successor as Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats, when his friend Hans Hedtoft died of a heart attack on 29 January 1955. In addition to becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also retained the post as Foreign Minister until 1958. One of the laws passed by this government was the universal people's pension.

In March 1957 it had been 4 years since the last election to the Folketing, and as mandated by the Danish constitution new elections were held. After the election H. C. Hansen was able to partner with the Danish Social Liberal Party and Retsforbundet to form the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II, also known as the Triangle Cabinet (Trekantsregeringen).

On 25 March 1957 France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Rome to create the European Economic Community. To not be left behind the Danish government first wanted to join a Nordic free trade organization, but that failed and Denmark joined the EFTA on 3 May 1960 instead. Denmark would join the European Economic Community in 1972.

H. C. Hansen died from cancer on 19 February 1960, and was succeeded by Viggo Kampmann in the Social Democrats party and as Prime Minister. He was the second Danish prime minister in a row to die while in office.

[edit] References

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

[edit] Sources

Political offices
Preceded by
Kristian Hansen Koefoed / none
Finance Minister of Denmark
May 5, 1945November 7, 1945
Succeeded by
Thorkil Kristensen
Preceded by
Thorkil Kristensen
Finance Minister of Denmark
November 13, 1947September 16, 1950
Succeeded by
Viggo Kampmann
Preceded by
Jens Otto Krag
Trade Minister of Denmark
September 16, 195030 October 1950
Succeeded by
Ove Weikop
Preceded by
Ole Bjørn Kraft
Foreign Minister of Denmark
September 30, 1953October 8, 1958
Succeeded by
Viggo Kampmann
Preceded by
Hans Hedtoft
Prime Minister of Denmark
February 1, 1955February 19, 1960
Succeeded by
Viggo Kampmann
Party political offices
Preceded by
Hans Hedtoft
Leader of the Danish Social Democrats
19551960
Succeeded by
Viggo Kampmann