Lars Løkke Rasmussen is the current Prime Minister of Denmark. He took office on April 5, 2009. He leads a coalition of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Conservative People's Party (Konservative Folkeparti). Lars Løkke Rasmussen took over the post as Denmark's Prime Minister after Anders Fogh Rasmussen stepped down to take over the post as the Secretary General of NATO. Lars Løkke Rasmussen has long been active in Anders Fogh Rasmussen's Cabinet. From November 1, 2001 to November 23, 2007 he was the 'Interior and Health Minister' of Denmark. From November 23, 2007 to April 5, 2009 he was the 'Minister of Finance' of Denmark.

Despite the same surname Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Anders Fogh Rasmussen are not related.

The previous and probably best known Prime Minister (Anders Fogh Rasmussen) changed the political landscape in Denmark. A change of the political system was initiated when he won his first general election on 20 November 2001 and pushed a government led by Socialdemokratiet (The Social Democratic Party) from power. The Social Democrats had been the largest party in Denmark since the 1920's.

He became Prime Minister of a minority government consisting of Venstre (Denmark’s Liberal Party) and Det Konservative Folkeparti (The Conservative Party), supported by Dansk Folkeparti (The Danish People’s Party). At the general elections on 8 February 2005 and 13 November 2007, he retained government power, still supported by The Danish People’s Party.

Fogh Rasmussen’s success has had other consequences. Formerly, small centre parties could often determine the government power, but today they no longer play a crucial role. During Fogh Rasmussen’s time in power, The Danish People’s Party – which initially had a tight immigration policy and opposition to the EU as its key issues – has achieved a popular and parliamentary break-through. It is the third-largest party in Folketinget (the Danish Parliament).

As of August 1, 2009 Rasmussen has been the Secretary General for NATO.

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