Klaus Berntsen

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Klaus Berntsen
Klaus Berntsen

In office
July 5, 1910 – June 21, 1913
Preceded by Carl Theodor Zahle
Succeeded by Carl Theodor Zahle

Born June 12, 1844 (1844-06-12)
Died March 27, 1927 (aged 82)
Political party Venstre

Klaus Berntsen (12 June 184427 March 1927) was a Danish politician, representing the Liberal party, Venstre. He was Council President of Denmark from 5 July 1910 to 21 June 1913 as the leader of the Cabinet of Klaus Berntsen. From 5 May 1920 to 9 October 1922 he served as Defence Minister

Very early he took part in politics as a quick-witted and popular agitator but belonging to the Moderate Venstre he was for many years without much political influence. After the beginning reunion of the old Venstre groups he played a greater role as a minister that led to the forming of his own cabinet. He was a personal friend of King Frederick VIII and enjoyed the king’s support but his government was accused of lacking social understanding. 1913 he proposed the revision of the Constitution that was carried through by the second Zahle Cabinet. When he retired from politics in 1926 he was one of the oldest Danish active parliamentarian politicians ever. As a member of the Folketing 1873-1884 and again 1886-1926 he remains the longest-serving member of the Danish Parliament and the only member for over 50 years.

Political offices
Preceded by
Sigurd Berg
Interior Minister of Denmark
October 12, 1908October 28, 1909
Succeeded by
Peter Rochegune Munch
Preceded by
Carl Theodor Zahle
Council President of Denmark
July 5, 1910June 21, 1913
Succeeded by
Carl Theodor Zahle
Preceded by
Christopher Krabbe
Defence Minister of Denmark
July 5, 1910June 21, 1913
Succeeded by
Peter Rochegune Munch
Preceded by
Michael Pedersen Friis
Defence Minister of Denmark
May 5, 1920October 9, 1922
Succeeded by
Søren Brorsen