Erik Scavenius

Who was Erik Scavenius?

Erik Julius Christian Scavenius was the Danish foreign minister from 1909–1910, 1913–1920 and 1940–1943, and prime minister from 1942 to 1943 during the occupation of Denmark until the Danish elected government ceased to function. He was foreign minister during some of the most important periods of Denmark's modern history, including the First World War, the plebiscites over the return of northern Schleswig to Denmark, and the German occupation. Scavenius was a member of the Landsting during 1918–1920 and 1925–1927 representing the Social Liberal Party. He was chairman of its party organization from 1922–1924.

Scavenius belonged to a tradition of elitist governance that distrusted democratically elected politicians at a time when they were gaining power and influence and he was frequently in conflict with more populist figures. He thought that many of these elected politicians were influenced by ignorant strains of populism, and were ill equipped to face the tough compromises and realities of governance.