Venstres Ungdom (literally: Youth of the Left) is the youth wing of the Danish liberal Party Venstre. History The first branch of Venstres Ungdom was founded in Kolding in 1908, and the nationwide organization was established in 1912. This makes the youth wing older than the mother party, Venstre, which was established in its current form in 1910. When Venstres Ungdom was founded, Denmark had a bicameral parliament, and suffrage to one of the houses (Landstinget) was reserved for men no younger than 35. Consequently, Venstres Ungdom was intended as an organization for Liberals younger than 35. When turning 35, a member became entitled to transfer his membership to the "real" political party Venstre. When Landstinget was abolished in 1953 this distinction became irrelevant, and members are now free to choose if they wish to belong to Venstres Ungdom, Venstre or both organizations. Most members transfer their membership from Venstres Ungdom to Venstre when they approach the age of 30. Venstres Ungdom today Venstres Ungdom is one of the largest political youth organization in Denmark. As of 31 December 2009, it had 1,730 members. Members play a major role in the election campaigns of Venstre. Other activities include organizing seminars and debates. The nationwide organization has a committee corresponding to each cabinet department headed by a Venstre politician. These committees hold regular meetings with the relevant cabinet ministers. A VU spokesman is elected to represent the organization for each major area. As of January 2006, the number of spokesmen is fourteen. Current leaders of Venstres Ungdom Chairman: Maria Ladegaard Deputy Chairman: Sebastian Boisen The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are elected by the annual National Congress (Landsstævnet) along with seven other members to the Executive Committee. The Treasurer is appointed by the National Board ("Landsstyrelsen"), amongst the members of the Executive Committee. Leaders 1912-1915 Niels Elgaard 1915-1917 A. L. H. Elmquist 1917-1918 J. Chr. Jensen-Broby 1918-1919 H. Tranberg-Jensen 1919-1920 Jens Rahbek 1920-1922 H. C. Koefoed 1922-1923 Søren Peter Larsen 1923-1923 Chr. Christensen 1923-1927 Henry Gideon 1927-1929 Edv. Sørensen 1929-1930 P.C. Jacobsen 1930-1932 Erik Eriksen 1932-1935 M. Elmertoft 1935–1937 N.K. Larsen 1937-1939 P. Thisted Knudsen 1939-1941 J. Chr. Christensen 1941-1943 Alfred Larsen 1943-1946 Søren Andersen 1946-1948 Jens P. Petersen 1948-1951 Henry Christensen 1951-1953 P. Givskov Christensen 1953-1955 Søren Jensen 1955-1957 Niels Westerby 1957-1959 Niels Anker Kofoed 1959-1962 Knud Enggaard 1962-1964 Knud Erik Særkjær 1964-1966 Peter Holst 1966-1968 Jørgen Brøndlund Nielsen 1968-1970 Erik