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Prime Minister of Denmark

The Prime Minister of Denmark (Danish: statsminister) is the head of government in Danish politics. He is the leader of a political coalition in the Danish parliament (the Folketing) and the leader of the cabinet.

The prime minister and cabinet are appointed by the queen, determined by the party composition in the Folketing. The choices must not be opposed by a majority of the Folketing. [1] If a vote of no confidence is received, the prime minister may either resign along with the cabinet or ask the monarch to dissolve the parliament and call a new election.

The current prime minister of Denmark is Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He leads a coalition of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Conservative People's Party (Konservative Folkeparti) and is the head of his third cabinet.

The prime minister has the power to dissolve the parliament and thus force a new election, which he is obligated to do within four years of the previous elections.

History

From 1848 to 1855, the head of government was titled "Premierminister" (Prime Minister). In 1855, the title was changed to ”Konseilspræsident” (Council President); then in 1918 it was changed again to "Statsminister" (State Minister). The official date of the founding of the prime minister's office is January 1, 1914.

See also

• List of Prime Ministers of Denmark
• Constitution of Denmark

References

• The Prime Minister's Office
• Official Denmark Constitution, from the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.