Copenhagen - Danish Justice Minister Lene Espersen was elected on Tuesday as the new leader of the Conservative Party, the junior partner in Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right coalition.

Espersen, who has held the justice ministry portfolio since 2001, succeeds Bendt Bendtsen as deputy prime minister, and is to take on Bendtsen's portfolio as economic and business affairs minister.

Bendtsen, 54, announced he aims to run for the European Parliament next year.

Culture Minister Brian Mikkelsen is to succeed Espersen as justice minister.

Rasmussen said he was "confident" that Espersen, 42, and he would be able to cooperate well and backed her moves in the reshuffle.

The mother of two - both her children were born while she was justice minister - was elected to parliament in 1994.

Analysts noted that Espersen is likely to adopt a higher profile than her predecessor, who was named head of the Conservatives in 1999.

Rasmussen's minority government needs the backing of the populist Danish People's Party to pass legislation. (dpa)