1953 Danish general election

General elections were held in the Kingdom of Denmark on 22 September 1953,[1] the first under the new constitution. The Social Democratic Party remained the largest in the Folketing, with 74 of the 179 seats. Voter turnout was 81% in Denmark proper and 69% in Greenland.[2] The electoral threshold was 60,000 votes.

1953 Danish general election
Danish Realm
22 September 1953
All 179 seats in the Folketing
90 seats needed for a majority
Turnout80.58%
PartyLeader % Seats +/–
Social Democrats Hans Hedtoft 41.31 74 +13
Venstre Erik Eriksen 23.06 42 +9
Conservatives Ole Bjørn Kraft 16.85 30 +4
Social Liberals Jørgen Jørgensen 7.81 14 +1
Communists Aksel Larsen 4.33 8 +1
Justice Viggo Stacke 3.48 6 -3
Schleswig Party 0.45 1 +1
Elected in the Faroe Islands
Social Democratic Peter Mohr Dam – 1 0
Union Johan Poulsen – 1 +1
Elected in Greenland
Independents – 100 2 New
Prime Minister before Prime Minister-elect
Erik Eriksen
Venstre		 Hans Hedtoft
Social Democrats
Ballot paper in Copenhagen district

Electoral system changes

This election was held as a result of the passing of the 1953 Danish constitution. The new election law of 1953 increased the size of the Folketing from 151 to 179 members. The number of district seats was increased from 105 to 135, while the number of levelling seats was decreased to 40. This was the first election in which Greenland elected members.[3]

Results
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Denmark proper
Social Democrats894,91341.3174+13
Venstre499,65623.0642+9
Conservative People's Party364,96016.8530+4
Danish Social Liberal Party169,2957.8114+1
Communist Party of Denmark93,8244.338+1
Justice Party of Denmark75,4493.486–3
Independent Party58,5732.700New
Schleswig Party/Independent9,7210.451+1
Total2,166,391100.00175+26
Valid votes2,166,39199.74
Invalid/blank votes5,6450.26
Total votes2,172,036100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,695,55480.58
Faroe Islands
Social Democratic Party10
Union Party10
Total20
Greenland
Independents6,183100.002New
Total6,183100.002New
Valid votes6,18396.38
Invalid/blank votes2323.62
Total votes6,415100.00
Registered voters/turnout9,35668.57
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References
  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p524 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. Nohlen & Stöver, p541
  3. Cohn, Einar (November 1953). "Folketingsvalget den 22. september 1953". Danmarks Statistik.
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