Klaus Berntsen (12 June 1844 – 27 March 1927) was a Danish politician, representing the Liberal party, Venstre. He was Council President of Denmark from 1910 to 1913. He served as minister of defence from 1910 to 1913 and again from 1920 to 1922. He was also minister of the interior from 1908 to 1909.

Klaus Berntsen
Council President of Denmark
In office
5 July 1910 – 21 June 1913
MonarchsFrederik VIII
Christian X
Preceded byCarl Theodor Zahle
Succeeded byCarl Theodor Zahle
Minister of Defence
In office
5 May 1920 – 9 October 1922
Prime MinisterNiels Neergaard
Preceded byMichael Petersen Friis
Succeeded bySøren Brorsen
In office
5 July 1910 – 21 June 1913
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byChristopher Krabbe
Succeeded byPeter Rochegune Munch
Minister of the Interior
In office
12 October 1908 – 28 October 1909
Prime MinisterNiels Neergaard
Ludvig Holstein-Holsteinborg
Preceded bySigurd Berg
Succeeded byPeter Rochegune Munch
Personal details
Born(1844-06-12)12 June 1844
Eskildstrup, Denmark
Died27 March 1927(1927-03-27) (aged 82)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Political partyVenstre

Biography

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He was born on 12 June 1844. He was the father of Aage Berntsen and Oluf Berntsen.

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 Frederik 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.[1]

He died on 27 March 1927.

References

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  1. ^ "Tal og fakta om Folketinget". Folketinget (in Danish). 24 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by Interior Minister of Denmark
October 12, 1908 – October 28, 1909
Succeeded by
Preceded by Council President of Denmark
July 5, 1910 – June 21, 1913
Succeeded by
Preceded by Defence Minister of Denmark
July 5, 1910 – June 21, 1913
Succeeded by
Preceded by Defence Minister of Denmark
May 5, 1920 – October 9, 1922
Succeeded by