Former Danish PM Anker Joergensen dies at 93

Copenhagen, March 21: Former Danish Prime Minister Anker Joergensen died on Sunday at 93, local media reported.

Joergensen served as the prime minister from 1972 to 1973 and again from 1975 to 1982, Xinhua reported.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said in a statement that "Denmark has lost a person that we all liked and respected across party lines."

Former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt wrote on her Facebook page that Joergensen was "a man of honour who always fought for justice and equality. He never forgot those who have the least and fewest opportunities."

Born into poverty, Joergensen started his political career working for workers' rights and was first elected to parliament in 1964.

In 1972, Joergensen succeeded Jens Otto Krag as prime minister of Denmark. He held this position until the 1973 election when he was succeeded by liberal Poul Hartling.

After just over a year in opposition, Joergensen returned as prime minister with a Social Democratic minority government until September 10, 1982, when he stepped down without election.

Joergensen served in parliament until 1994.

IANS