Union of Conscientiously Work-Shy Elements


The Union of Conscientiously Work-Shy Elements was an unusually successful frivolous political party in Denmark. It was founded in Aarhus in 1979 by a comedian, Jacob Haugaard, and a few friends. Haugaard stood as an independent candidate in Aarhus County in each parliamentary election, until [1994 Danish general election|September 1994 Danish general election|1994 when he was very unexpectedly elected] to the Folketing with 23,253 personal votes, thereby winning a constituency seat.
He made the following promises in the 1994 election:
The last three promises were actually fulfilled during his term in office.
While the party had been intended as a joke, he found himself often having the deciding vote in a hung parliament, and took his duties seriously until the parliamentary election in March 1998. He then announced his retirement from politics.

Election results

YearVotesRef.
1979797
0.22%
1981558
0.16%
1984676
0.18%
19872,275
0.59%
19883,221
0.83%
19908,717
2.27%
199423,253
5.80%

Quotes

  • "If work is so healthy, then why not give it to the sick?"
  • "Work? We can't be bothered. That's what we have the Germans for."