Scavenius Cabinet

Scavenius

41st Cabinet of Denmark
Date formed9 November 1942 (1942-11-09)
Date dissolved5 May 1945 (1945-05-05)
People and organisations
Head of state
Christian X of Denmark
Head of government
Erik Scavenius
Status in legislature
Unity government
History
PredecessorBuhl I
SuccessorBuhl II

The Scavenius cabinet was the government of Denmark from 9 November 1942 to 5 May 1945. It replaced the first Buhl cabinet, which collapsed due to the Telegram Crisis in November 1942, when the Germans demanded changes to the Danish government. The Germans wanted nonpolitical ministers and Nazi ministers in the new government, however, only the first demand was met.

Following the August Rebellion [da] in 1943, the Germans put forward more demands, which the Danish authorities refused. The government therefore filed a resignation request for the King on 29 August 1943, who refused to accept it. The government de facto ceased to function, though still formally in power. The Board of Permanent Secretaries [da] was established, where the permanent secretaries of the ministries managed the country. Only after the liberation of 5 May 1945, were the resignation accepted, and the Scavenius cabinet and Board of permanent secretaries were replaced by the second Buhl cabinet.

List of ministers and portfolios

PortfolioMinisterTook officeLeft officePartyRef
Prime Minister &
Minister of Foreign Affairs
9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent
Minister of Finance9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent
Minister of Defence9 November 19425 May 1945 Venstre
Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent
Minister of Education9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent
Minister of Justice9 July 19415 May 1945 Independent
Minister of the Interior9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Liberals
Minister of Public Works9 November 19425 May 1945 Independent
Minister of Traffic9 November 19425 May 1945 Venstre
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Seafaring9 November 19425 May 1945 Conservatives
Minister of Labour9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats
Ministry of Social Affairs9 November 19425 May 1945 Social Democrats

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Regeringen Scavenius". Statsministeriet (in Danish). Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 13 November 2025.