Minister of Foreign Affairs (Denmark)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs
Udenrigsminister (Danish)
National coat of arms of Denmark.svg
Lars Lokke Rasmussen by Christian Ursilva (2025).jpg
since 15 December 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Type Minister
Member of
Reports tothe prime minister
Seat Slotsholmen
Appointer The Monarch
(on the advice of the prime minister)
Formation22 March 1848;177 years ago (1848-03-22)
First holder Frederik Marcus Knuth
Successiondepending on the order in the State Council
Deputy Permanent Secretary
Salary1.723.195,01 DKK
(€231,171), in 2025 [1]
Website Official website

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Danish : Udenrigsminister, Faroese : Uttanríkisráðharra, Greenlandic : Nunanut Allanut Ministeri) is the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The officeholder is in charge of Danish (Denmark proper, [a] the Faroe Islands and Greenland) foreign policy and international relations.

Contents

The current Minister for Foreign Affairs is former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. [3]

List of Danish foreign ministers

Ministers under Frederick VII (1848–1863)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Knuth F M.jpg Frederik Marcus Knuth
(1813–1856)
22 March 184816 November 1848239 days Independent Moltke I [4]
2 Adam Wilhelm Moltke.jpg Adam Wilhelm Moltke
(1785–1864)
16 November 18486 August 18501 year, 263 days Independent Moltke II [5]
3 Reedtz HC.jpg Holger Christian Reedtz
(1800–1857)
6 August 185018 October 18511 year, 73 days Independent Moltke IIIII [5] [6]
4 Bluhme.jpg Christian Albrecht Bluhme
(1794–1866)
18 October 185112 December 18543 years, 55 days Independent Moltke IV
Bluhme I
Ørsted
[7] [8]
[9]
5 Wulff Scheel-Plessen 2.jpg Wulff Scheel-Plessen  [ da ]
(1809–1876)
12 December 185415 January 185534 days Independent Bang [10]
6 Ludvig Nicolaus von Scheele by E. Lange.jpg Ludvig Nicolaus von Scheele
(1796–1874)
15 January 185513 Maj 18572 years, 118 days Independent Bang
Andræ
[10] [11]
7 Ove Wilhelm Michelsen.jpg Ove Wilhelm Michelsen  [ da ]
(1800–1880)
13 Maj 185710 July 18581 year, 84 days Independent Hall I [12]
8 Carl Christian Hall.jpg Carl Christian Hall
(1812–1888)
10 July 18582 December 18591 year, 145 days National Liberal Hall I [12]
9 Blixen-Finecke CFAB.jpg Carl Frederik Blixen-Finecke
(1822–1873)
2 December 185924 February 186084 days Independent Rotwitt [13]
(8) Carl Christian Hall.jpg Carl Christian Hall
(1812–1888)
24 February 186031 December 18633 years, 310 days National Liberal Hall II [14]

Ministers under Christian IX (1863–1906)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
10 D G Monrad.jpg Ditlev Gothard Monrad
(1811–1887)
31 December 18638 January 18641 year, 263 days National Liberal Monrad [15]
11 George Quaade 2.jpg George Quaade  [ da ]
(1813–1889)
8 January 186411 July 1864185 days Independent Monrad [15]
(4) Bluhme.jpg Christian Albrecht Bluhme
(1794–1866)
11 July 18646 November 18651 year, 118 days Independent Bluhme II [16]
12 K V Frijs.jpg Christian Emil Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs
(1817–1896)
6 November 186528 May 18704 years, 203 days National Landowners Frijs [17]
13 Otto Ditlev Rosenorn-Lehn.jpg Otto Rosenørn-Lehn  [ da ]
(1821–1892)
28 May 187011 June 18755 years, 14 days National Landowners Holstein-Holsteinborg
Fonnesbech
[18] [19]
14 Frederik Georg Julius Moltke.jpg Frederik Moltke
(1825–1875)
11 June 18751 October 1875  # 112 days National Landowners Estrup [20]
(13) Otto Ditlev Rosenorn-Lehn.jpg Otto Rosenørn-Lehn  [ da ]
(1821–1892)
10 November 187521 May 189216 years, 193 days National Landowners Estrup [20]
15 Tage Reedtz-Thott by Jens Petersen.jpg Tage Reedtz-Thott
(1839–1923)
21 May 189223 May 18975 years, 2 days Højre Estrup
Reedtz-Thott
[20] [21]
16 Niels Frederik Ravn.jpg Niels Frederik Ravn
(1826–1910)
23 May 189727 April 19002 years, 339 days Højre Hørring [22]
17 Hannibal Sehested 1900.jpg Hannibal Sehested
(1842–1924)
27 April 190024 July 19011 year, 88 days Højre Sehested [23]
18 J. H. Deuntzer by Elfelt.jpg Johan Henrik Deuntzer
(1845–1918)
24 July 190114 January 19053 years, 174 days Venstre Reform Party Deuntzer [24]
19 Frederik Christopher Otto Raben-Levetzau.jpg Frederik Raben-Levetzau
(1850–1933)
14 January 190512 October 19083 years, 272 days Venstre Reform Party Christensen III [25] [26]

Ministers under Frederik VIII (1906–1912)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
20 William Ahlefeldt-Laurvig by Carl Pietzner.jpg William Ahlefeldt-Laurvig
(1860–1923)
12 October 190828 October 19091 year, 16 days Venstre Reform Party Neergaard I
Holstein-Ledreborg
[27] [28]
21 Erik Scavenius by Peter Elfelt.jpg Erik Scavenius
(1877–1962)
28 October 19095 July 1910250 days Social Liberal Zahle I [29]
(20) Ahlefeld-Laurvig CW.jpg William Ahlefeldt-Laurvig
(1860–1923)
5 July 191021 June 19132 years, 351 days Venstre Berntsen [30]

Ministers under Christian X (1912–1947)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Edvard Brandes Hver8Dag 190.jpg Edvard Brandes
(1847–1931)
acting
21 June 191324 June 19133 days Social Liberal Zahle II [31]
(21) Erik Scavenius by Henry Goodwin.jpg Erik Scavenius
(1877–1962)
24 June 191330 March 19206 years, 280 days Social Liberal Zahle II [31]
22 Henri Konow potrait by Elfelt.png Henri Konow
(1862–1939)
30 March 19205 April 19206 days Independent Liebe [32]
23 Otto Scavenius by Carl Sonne.jpg Otto Scavenius
(1875–1945)
5 April 19205 May 192030 days Independent Friis [33]
24 Harald Scavenius by Peter Elfelt.jpg Harald Scavenius
(1873–1939)
5 May 19209 October 19222 years, 157 days Independent Neergaard II [34]
25 Christian Magdalus Thestrup Cold by Elfelt.jpg Christian Cold
(1863–1934)
9 October 192223 April 19241 year, 197 days Independent Neergaard III [35]
26 Carl Moltke 1869-1935 by Elfelt.jpg Carl Moltke
(1869–1935)
23 April 192414 December 19262 years, 235 days Independent Stauning I [36]
27 Laust Jevsen Moltesen, september 1919.jpg Laust Jevsen Moltesen
(1865–1950)
14 December 192630 April 19292 years, 137 days Venstre Madsen-Mygdal [37]
28 Peter Rochegune Munch.jpg Peter Rochegune Munch
(1870–1948)
30 April 19298 July 194011 years, 69 days Social Liberal Stauning IIIIIIVV [38] [39]
[40] [41]
(21) Erik Scavenius 1.jpg Erik Scavenius
(1877–1962)
8 July 194029 August 19433 years, 52 days Independent Stauning VI
Buhl I
Scavenius
[42] [43]
[44]
No Danish government in between August 29, 1943 and May 5, 1945. Office is assumed by the permanent secretary. [b]
Buhl vilhelm.jpg Vilhelm Buhl
(1881–1954)
acting
5 May 19457 May 19452 days Social Democrats Buhl II [45]
29 John Christmas Moller (FHM-269435).jpg John Christmas Møller
(1894–1948)
7 May 19457 November 1945184 days Conservative Buhl II [45]
30 Gustav Rasmussen (Kristensen cropped).jpg Gustav Rasmussen
(1895–1953)
7 November 194530 October 19504 years, 357 days Independent Kristensen
Hedtoft III
[46] [47]
[48]
Social Democrats

Ministers under Frederik IX (1947–1972)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
31 Ole Bjorn Kraft by Elfelt & Co.jpg Ole Bjørn Kraft
(1893–1980)
30 October 195030 September 19532 years, 335 days Conservative Eriksen [49]
32 H. C. Hansen by Elfelt & Co.jpg Hans Christian Hansen
(1906–1960)
30 September 19538 October 19585 years, 8 days Social Democrats Hedtoft III
Hansen III
[50] [51]
[52]
33 Jens Otto Krag by Elfelt & Co.jpg Jens Otto Krag
(1914–1978)
8 October 19583 September 19623 years, 330 days Social Democrats Hansen II
Kampmann III
[52] [53]
[54]
34 Per Haekkerup.jpg Per Hækkerup
(1915–1979)
3 September 196228 November 19664 years, 86 days Social Democrats Krag III [55] [56]
(33) Jens Otto Krag by Elfelt & Co.jpg Jens Otto Krag
(1914–1978)
28 November 19661 October 1967307 days Social Democrats Krag II [56]
35 No image.png Hans Tabor
(1922–2003)
1 October 19672 February 1968124 days Social Democrats Krag II [56]
36 Poul Hartling.jpg Poul Hartling
(1914–2000)
2 February 196811 October 19713 years, 251 days Venstre Baunsgaard [57]
37 Knud Borge Andersen.png Knud Børge Andersen
(1914–1984)
11 October 197119 December 19732 years, 69 days Social Democrats Krag III
Jørgensen I
[58] [59]

Ministers under Margrethe II (1972–2024)

No.PortraitName
(born–died)
Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
38 No image.png Ove Guldberg
(1918–2008)
19 December 197313 February 19751 year, 56 days Venstre Hartling [60]
(37) Knud Borge Andersen.png Knud Børge Andersen
(1914–1984)
13 February 19751 July 19783 years, 138 days Social Democrats Jørgensen II [61]
39 Anker Jorgensen (1975).jpg Anker Jørgensen
(1922–2016)
1 July 197830 August 197860 days Social Democrats Jørgensen II [61]
40 20. Internationales Management-Gesprach-Henning Christophersen-HSGN 028-00828.jpg Henning Christophersen
(1939–2016)
30 August 197826 October 19791 year, 57 days Venstre Jørgensen III [62]
41 No image.png Kjeld Olesen
(1932–2024)
26 October 197910 September 19822 years, 319 days Social Democrats Jørgensen IVV [63] [64]
42 Uffe Ellemann-Jensen.jpg Uffe Ellemann-Jensen
(1941–2022)
10 September 198225 January 199310 years, 137 days Venstre Schlüter IIIIIIIV [65] [66]
[67] [68]
43 Niels-Helveg-Petersen.jpg Niels Helveg Petersen
(1939–2017)
25 January 199321 December 20007 years, 331 days Social Liberal P. N. Rasmussen IIIIIIIV [69] [70]
[71] [72]
44 Mogens-Lykketoft.jpg Mogens Lykketoft
(born 1946)
21 December 200027 November 2001341 days Social Democrats P. N. Rasmussen IV [72]
45 Per Stig Moller.jpg Per Stig Møller
(born 1942)
27 November 200123 February 20108 years, 88 days Conservative A. F. Rasmussen IIIIII
L. L. Rasmussen I
[73] [74]
[75] [76]
46 Danmarks utrikesminister Lene Espersen pa Nordiska Radets session i Reykjavik pa Island 2010-11-03 (1).jpg Lene Espersen
(born 1965)
23 February 20103 October 20111 year, 222 days Conservative L. L. Rasmussen I [76]
47 Villy Soevndal, utrikesminister Danmark. Presskonferens med utrikesministrarna under Nordiska Radets session 2011 i Kopenhamn (1).jpg Villy Søvndal
(born 1952)
3 October 201112 December 20132 years, 70 days Green Left Thorning-Schmidt I [77]
48 Holger K Nielsen-2011-09-03.jpg Holger K. Nielsen
(born 1950)
12 December 201330 January 201449 days Green Left Thorning-Schmidt I [77]
49 Martin Lidegaard, 2014 (cropped).jpg Martin Lidegaard
(born 1966)
30 January 201428 June 20151 year, 149 days Social Liberal Thorning-Schmidt II [78]
50 Danmarks skatteminister Kristian Jensen talte pa debatmoede om skatteflugt pa Nordisk Ministerrad.jpg Kristian Jensen
(born 1971)
28 June 201528 November 20161 year, 153 days Venstre L. L. Rasmussen II [79]
51 President Reuven Rivlin met with the Danish Foreign Minister the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica (6610) (cropped).jpg Anders Samuelsen
(born 1967)
28 November 201627 June 20192 years, 211 days Liberal Alliance L. L. Rasmussen III [80]
52 Jeppe Kofod July 22, 2020 (cropped).jpg Jeppe Kofod
(born 1974)
27 June 201915 December 20223 years, 171 days Social Democrats Frederiksen I [81]
53 FM Rau handshake with FM Rasmussen (cropped).jpg Lars Løkke Rasmussen
(born 1964)
15 December 2022Incumbent3 years, 38 days Moderates Frederiksen II [82]

Notes

  1. The Kingdom of Denmark's territory in continental Europe is referred to as "Denmark proper" (Danish: egentlig Danmark), "metropolitan Denmark", [2] or simply Denmark. In this article, usage of "Denmark" excludes Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
  2. On 29 August 1943, the Danish government resigned, refusing to grant further concessions to Nazi Germany. All government operations were assumed by the permanent secretaries of the individual departments, and this arrangement lasted until the Liberation of Denmark on 5 May 1945. Since King Christian X never accepted the resignation of the government, it existed de jure until a new cabinet was formed on 5 May 1945.

References

  1. "Hvad tjener en minister?". Regeringen (in Danish). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. Administrative divisions – Denmark The World Factbook. Access date: 14 April 2012
  3. Bohr, Jakob Kjøgx (2022-12-15). "Her er SVM-regeringens ministre - TV 2". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  4. "Regeringen Moltke I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Regeringen Moltke II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  6. "Regeringen Moltke III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  7. "Regeringen Moltke IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  8. "Regeringen Bluhme I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  9. "Regeringen Ørsted". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Regeringen Bang". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  11. "Regeringen Andræ". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Regeringen Hall I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  13. Engelstoft, Povl. "C.E. Rotwitt". Dansk Biografisk Leksikon (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  14. "Regeringen Hall II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Regeringen Monrad". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  16. "Regeringen Bluhme II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  17. "Regeringen Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  18. "Regeringen Holstein-Holsteinborg". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  19. "Regeringen Fonnesbech". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 "Regeringen Estrup". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  21. "Regeringen Reedtz-Thott". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  22. "Regeringen Hørring". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  23. "Regeringen Sehested". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  24. "Regeringen Deuntzer". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  25. "Regeringen Christensen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  26. "Regeringen Christensen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  27. "Regeringen Neergaard I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  28. "Regeringen Holstein-Ledreborg". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  29. "Regeringen Zahle I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  30. "Regeringen Berntsen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  31. 1 2 "Regeringen Zahle II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  32. "Regeringen Liebe". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  33. "Regeringen Friis". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  34. "Regeringen Neergaard II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  35. "Regeringen Neergaard III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  36. "Regeringen Stauning I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  37. "Regeringen Madsen-Mygdal". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  38. "Regeringen Stauning II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  39. "Regeringen Stauning III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  40. "Regeringen Stauning IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  41. "Regeringen Stauning V". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  42. "Regeringen Stauning VI". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  43. "Regeringen Buhl I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  44. "Regeringen Scavenius". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  45. 1 2 "Regeringen Buhl II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  46. "Regeringen Knud Kristensen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  47. "Regeringen Hedtoft I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  48. "Regeringen Hedtoft II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  49. "Regeringen Erik Eriksen". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
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  51. "Regeringen H.C. Hansen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  52. 1 2 "Regeringen H.C. Hansen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  53. "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  54. "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  55. "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  56. 1 2 3 "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  57. "Regeringen Hilmar Baunsgaard". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  58. "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  59. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  60. "Regeringen Poul Hartling". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  61. 1 2 "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  62. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  63. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  64. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen V". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  65. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  66. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  67. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  68. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  69. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  70. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  71. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  72. 1 2 "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen IV". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  73. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  74. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  75. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  76. 1 2 "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  77. 1 2 "Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  78. "Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  79. "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  80. "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen III". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  81. "Regeringen Mette Frederiksen I". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  82. "Regeringen Mette Frederiksen II". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Retrieved 10 November 2025.