Erik Scavenius
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Erik Julius Christian Scavenius (July 13, 1877 -November 29, 1962) was the Danish foreign minister 1913-1920 and 1940-1942, and prime minister 1942-1943.
Erik Scavenius was prime minister for some of the Second World War as head of a coalition cabinet, and before that he had been the foreign minister, the most important liaison between the Danish government and the German authorities. He was a diplomat, not an elected politician, and had an elitist approach to government. He was very afraid that emotional public opinion would destabilize his attempts to build a compromise between Danish sovereignty and the realities of German occupation. Scavenius felt strongly that he was Denmark's most ardent defender. After the war there was much recrimination of his stance, particularly from members of the active resistance who felt that he had hindered the cause of resistance and threatened Denmark's national honour. He felt that these people were vain, seeking to build their own reputations or political careers through emotionalism.
After August 29, 1943, Erik Scavenius lost all of his real powers when the German authorities dissolved the Danish government following the refusal of that government to crack down on unrest to the satisfaction of the German plenipotentiary.
Debate continues over Scavenius' legacy. For example, on the 60th anniversary of the August 29th dissolution of government, prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen chastised Scavenius for his stance saying that it was naive and morally unacceptable. However, many historians contend that it was only through Scavenius' policies that Denmark escaped the worst hardships of the war, and escaped the framework in which the worst atrocities of the holocaust were possible.
| Preceded by: Vilhelm Buhl | Prime minister of Denmark 1942 – 1943 | Succeeded by: none Vilhelm Buhl
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