A Social Democrat, Hansen served as finance minister in the unity cabinet from May to November 1945 and again from 1947 to 1950 under Hans Hedtoft.

The law on assistance to single mothers of April 1955 introduced special assistance for widows with children and certain other categories of single women, while under the Accident Insurance Act of 1959, an independent board of appeal was set up, waiting times were reduced, compensation for survivors was converted from lump sums into running benefits, and the scheme extended to cover occupational diseases.

[4] On 25 March 1957 France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg signed the Treaty of Rome to create the European Economic Community.

Unlike his successors as Social Democratic leaders and prime minister, Hansen did not support Denmark joining the European Economic Community that eventually took place in 1972.

[5] H. C. Hansen died from cancer on 19 February 1960, and was succeeded by Viggo Kampmann in the Social Democratic party and as Prime Minister.