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Danish defense minister resigns amid scandals

Xinhua, September 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Denmark's Defense Minister Carl Holst stepped down on Tuesday amid a series of scandals, local media reported.

The 45-year-old has been involved in several controversies since his appointment to the posts of defense minister and minister for Nordic cooperation after the Venstre government regained power in June.

Cases concerning financial compensation from his previous job as head of the Region of Southern Denmark, and the misuse of public resources for his election campaign has led private citizens to file a police complaint against the minister.

In an official statement, Holst admitted the "double salary" scandal was the main reason for his resignation.

Holst was also voted the most unpopular minister in the new government in a survey carried out in September.

He will however retain seat at the Danish parliament, according to Danish news agency Ritzau. Endit