Venstre (Denmark)

Venstre (Denmark)

Venstre (, literally "left"), full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti (English: Left, Liberal Party of Denmark), is a conservative-liberal political party in Denmark. Founded as part of a peasants movement against the landed aristocracy, today it is espouses an economic liberal pro-free market ideology, it is the major party of the centre-right in Denmark, and the largest party in the country. The party formerly governed in coalition with the Conservative People's Party, with support from the Danish People's Party.

In the 2011 parliamentary elections, Venstre received 26.7% of the vote, and 47 out of 179 seats. It is led by Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who took over as party leader and Prime Minister from Anders Fogh Rasmussen in 2009.

Venstre is a liberal party within the Nordic agrarian tradition, but today is notably more pro-free market than its sister parties. Some describe it as classical liberal, since its leader from 1998 to 2009, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, is known for his authorship of the book From Social State to Minimal State. His book advocated an extensive reform of the Danish welfare state along classical liberal lines, including lower taxes and less government interference in corporate and individual matters. In later years, Anders Fogh Rasmussen has drifted away from his earlier views and has called liberalism an outdated ideology.

The party is a member of Liberal International and the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. Three of Denmark's thirteen MEPs are from Venstre, and they sit with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament.