Hans Christian Svane Hansen (8 November 1906 - 19 February 1960), often known as H. C. Hansen or just H. C., was a social democrat and Prime Minister of Denmark from 29 January 1955 to 19 February 1960 as the head of the Cabinet of H. C. Hansen I and II . Before becoming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen was also Minister of Finance in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft I and Foreign Minister in the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II .

Foreign Minister H. C. Hansen was the natural heir to the post of Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democrats when his friend Hans Hedtoft died of a heart attack on 29 January 1955. In addition to becomming Prime Minister, H. C. Hansen also retained the post as Foreign Minister until 1958. One of the laws passed by this government was the universal people's pension .

In March 1957 it had been 4 years since the last election to the Folketing, and as mandated by the Danish constitution new elections were held. After the election H. C. Hansen was able to partner with the Danish Social Liberal Party and Retsforbundet to form the Cabinet of Hans Hedtoft II , also known as the Triangle Cabinet (Trekantsregeringen).

On 25 March 1957 France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Rome to create the European Economic Community. To not be left behind the Danish government first wanted to join a Nordic free trade organization, but that failed and Denmark joined the EFTA on 3 May 1960 instead. Denmark would join the European Economic Community in 1972.

H. C. Hansen died from cancer on 19 February 1960, and was succeded by Viggo Kampmann in the Social Democrats party and as Prime Minister.

References

• Kristian Hvidt, Statsministre i Danmark fra 1913 til 1995 (1995)