Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Anders Fogh Rasmussen (born January 26, 1953 in Ginnerup, Jutland) is the current Prime Minister of Denmark. His Liberal (Venstre) Party won power in the November 2001 election, defeating the government of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and enabling him to form the Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen I. That election marked a dramatic change in Danish politics. It was the first time since 1920 that the Social Democratic Party lost its position as the largest party in the Folketing (parliament). Since then, the Liberal Party has operated in coalition with the Conservative People's Party to form a minority government, surviving the 2005 election. Rasmussen's government's agenda is significantly more right wing than has been the case in Denmark for a long time. He is in favour of deregulation, privatization, and limiting the size of government. His government has also enacted tough measures designed to limit the number of immigrants coming to Denmark.

Gay marriage

Civil unions between gay couples have been legal in Denmark since 1989. Rasmussen believes that they should be able to be married in religious ceremonies, which is not currently allowed, but has said it should be up to religious communities to decide whether to perform ceremonies for gay couples.

Related Topics:
Civil union - Gay - Married

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