ctions (in
accordance with the principle of proportional representation) for all
taxpayers, and the reform of both the administrative and judicial
systems. Its bitterest opponents were its former allies, the Radical
Left (which had split off from the Left Reform party after the
formation of the Christensen ministry) and the Social Democrats,
though neither of these parties put forward a programme which was in
any measure specific. After an unusually spirited contest the
Government was found to have lost three seats, the Social Democrats to
have gained eight, the Radical Left to have lost four, and the
Conservatives to have gained two. The resulting grouping in the
Folkething was as follows: Left Reform (Ministerialists), 55; Moderate
Left, 9; Radical Left, 9; Social Democrats, 24; Conservatives, 13;
Independents, 3; member for Faroee Islands, 1. At the partial renewal
of the Landsthing in September, 1906, the Government lost five seats,
and with them the majority which, aided by the Moderate Left and the
Free Conservatives,[797] it had been able since 1901 to control. The
consequence of its losses was that the Christensen ministry drew
appreciably toward the Conservative elements of the Rigsdag, as
against the Radicals and Socialists.

[Footnote 797: A group which, after the formation
of the Deuntzer ministry, split off from the
Conservatives in the upper chamber.]

*624. Ministerial Instability, 1908-1912.*--October 11, 1908, largely by
reason of the scandal in which it was involved by the embezzlements of
the minister of the interior Alberti, the ministry of Christensen was
replaced by a cabinet formed by Neergaard. It in turn retired, July
31, 1909, defeated upon bills to which it was committed for the
strengthening of the national fortifications. The Holstein-Ledreborg
ministry which succeeded was able to secure the passage of the bills,
but, October 22, 1909, it was forced out on a vote of want of
confidence. At the election of May 25, 1909, in which the military
bills comprised the principal issue, the Left Reform government had
continued to lose ground, while the Radicals (though not the Social
Democrats) and the Conservatives had gained. October 28, 1909, a new
ministry was formed by the Radical leader Zahle. In the Folkething the
Radicals possessed 20 seats only, but with the aid of the Social
Democrats, possessing 24, they hoped to be able to attain so