Time for a change: Government Reshuffle in Denmark

Prime Minister Løkke Rasmussen presents new government (Photo Credits: Jens Dresling)

It’s “cold” and it becomes a struggle to make everything “thaw” again and create momentum

said Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, as he presented the new government. He is satisfied with the new constellation. Now it was time to set a new team that matches the new times, and this is a strengthening of the government, he continued.

“It is in fact a brand new government. It is a strong team characterized by experience, but also marked by renewal. There is perfect balance and harmony – both in age and gender; we have put the best people on the best lines, ” he said.

The new government writes women’s history: For the first time, the ministerial team now includes 9 women out of 19 ministers. Last night, it was revealed that Mr Soeren Gade (V) stops as defense minister. “Soeren Gade has made the decision, and it is obviously regrettable,” Lars Loekke Rasmussen said. And for the first time a woman, Ms. Gitte Lillelund Bech (V), becomes defense minister.

The Prime Minister announced the presentation of  the  new governmental program by tomorrow.

Rasmussen took over as prime minister in April 2009 when his predecessor, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, was named NATO secretary general while Espersen has led the Conservatives since 2008. The Liberal Party and the Conservative Party have cooperated since 2001. The minority government has since relied on support from the populist Danish People’s Party.

The New Minister Team

• Ms. Lene Espersen (K)
  

is switching from economy and trade minister to foreign minister. Since 1994 a member of the parliament and, since September 2008 Chairman of the Conservative Party (K). 2001-2008, she was Minister of Justice.

• Mr. Brian Mikkelsen (K)
  

is switching from Minister of Justice to Minister for Economy and Business Affairs.Member of the parliament since 1994, Minister of Culture from 2001 to 2008, before he was appointed Minister of Justice.

• Ms. Charlotte Sahl-Madsen (K)
  

is new science minister instead of Helge Sander.

She comes from a position as the president of the Danfoss Universe and has previously served as a director of the Innovation Unit of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

• Mr. Søren Pind (V)

is new Minister of Development and Aid.

Member of parliament since 2005, Construction and Engineering Mayor of Copenhagen from 1994 to 2006. He has not had a ministerial post before.

• Mr. Per Stig Møller (K) becomes the Minister of Culture (previous foreign minister)
• Mrs. Gitte Lillelund Bech (V) becomes Defense Minister.
• Mr. Lars Barfoed (K) stops as the Minister of Transport and becomes the new Minister of Justice.
• Mr. Kristian Jensen (V) stops as a tax minister – and surprisingly becomes the new group-chairman of the Liberal Party (V).
• Mr. Troels Lund Poulsen (V) takes over the Tax Ministry.
• Ms. Karen Ellemann (V) takes over the Ministry of Environment from her colleague Mr. Troels Lund Poulsen.
• Ms. Benedikte Kiær (K) gets her first ministerial post as the Minister of Social Affairs. The Conservative politician comes from the Regional Council of Denmark’s Capital Region and from the Elsinore City Council.
• The Ministry of the Interior is merged with the Ministry of Health and will be headed by Mr. Bertel Haarder (V).
• New Minister of Education is Ms. Tina Nedergaard (V). She is currently the finance spokesman for the party.
• Mr. Henrik Høegh (V) becomes Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. He is a farm owner, and a member of the Parliament since 2007.
• Mr. Hans Christian Schmidt (V) becomes the Minister of Transport.

They continue:

• Mr. Claus Hjort Frederiksen (V) continues as the Minister of Finance.
• Ms. Inger Støjberg (V) continues as minister for employment.
• Ms. Lykke Friis (V) continues as Minister of Climate og additionally takes over the Ministry of Equality from Inger Støjberg.
• Ms. Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) continues as Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, and as Congregational Minister.

Further Resources

• Photo series of the new government from Borsen.dk
• Why do we get the reshuffle now – an interview with political commentator Helle Ib (in Danish)