Karl Skytte

Karl Skytte (March 31, 1908 – June 9, 1986), was a Danish politician, member of Folketinget for the Social Liberal Party 1947-1978. Farmer by profession. As Minister for Agriculture 1957-1964, he had only limited success in resisting the pressure for structural development of the sector resulting in the abandonment of many small farms. Back then small farmers constituted an important part of the Social Liberal electorate. As party leader, Skytte was eventually sidelined by Hilmar Baunsgaard who had a much stronger TV appeal. When the latter formed his cabinet in 1968, Skytte became Speaker of Folketinget. He retired from Danish politics in 1978.