Schlüter, Poul Holmskov

Schlüter, Poul Holmskov, 1929–, Danish political leader, prime minister of Denmark (1982–93). A member of the Conservative People's party, he served in the Danish parliament (1964–94) and became party chairman (1974–77, 1981–93). As prime minister, Schlüter was head of Denmark's first conservative-led government since 1894. He inherited considerable economic problems, and undertook to reform government finances and liberalize the economy. He was unable to secure (1992) Danish ratification of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty (later ratified after Denmark was granted several exceptions). He subsequently served (1994–99) in the European Parliament.

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