Anker Jørgensen
| Anker Jørgensen | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Prime Minister of Denmark | |
| In office 5 October 1972 – 19 December 1973 |
|
| Monarch | Margaret II |
| Preceded by | Jens Otto Krag |
| Succeeded by | Poul Hartling |
| In office 13 February 1975 – 10 September 1982 |
|
| Monarch | Margaret II |
| Preceded by | Poul Hartling |
| Succeeded by | Poul Schlüter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 July 1922 Copenhagen |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Religion | Lutheran/Church of Denmark |
Anker Jørgensen (born 13 July 1922) is a former Danish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He led or represented the Social Democratic Party for well over 30 years.
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[edit] Early political and personal life
Anker Henrik Jørgensen was born on 13 July 1922 in a rich area of Copenhagen to Johannes Albert Jørgensen and Maria Jørgensen. He was brought up by close members of his family. In 1948 he married Ingrid Kvist Pedersen (17 August 1922 – 18 October 1997) whom he remained married to until her death in 1997. They had 4 children. Throughout this period, he lived in the working-class area of Sydhavnen, an inner city district of Copenhagen.
He began his political carer early, and in 1950 he became a member of a trade union. He led the Danish Workers Union, SiD, between 1968 and 1972. Whilst he was chairman of the Danish Workers Union, he was elected to the Parliament of Denmark for the first of many times in 1964.
[edit] Prime minister
In 1972, he succeeded Jens Otto Krag as Prime Minister of Denmark following the European Union Referendum of that year. He would hold this position for 14 months until the election when he would be succeeded by liberal Poul Hartling.
After just over a year in opposition, he would return as Prime Minister of Denmark with a Social Democratic minority government. In 1978 he expanded the government by including Liberals in a "grand coaltion" government in order to cooperate in solving urgent economic problems. This coalition would last until 23 October 1979, and for a brief period of two months in 1978 he concurrently held the position of foreign minister. During this time, Anker Jørgensen would preside over the electoral age referendum.
For the rest of his period in office, he would lead a solitary Social Democrat government. He stepped down as prime minister on 10 September 1982 due to an uncertain parliamentary situation, he did, however, remain as leader of the Social Democrats until his resignation in 1987 when he was succeeded by Svend Auken. Throughout his time in office, he showed strong leadership and guided Denmark into the EEC and further developed Denmark’s social and welfare systems, but his policies also created a huge state budget deficit, which was compensated for by large state loans, increasing the Danish state debt substantially.
He was the head of the Danish delegation to the Nordic Council. Jørgensen was elected "Dane Of The Year" in 1990. He has written several autobiographies.
[edit] Public Perception
- Whilst in government, Anker Jørgensen became famous for being the People’s Gentleman.[citation needed]
- He gained a reputation as being a hard, dedicated worker.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards
- 1970 Poul Henningsen price, PH-prisen
- 1974 Mathildepris by the Danish Women's Association
- 1991 Drassows Legat
- 1993 Jytte-prisen
- 1994 Cultural price by the The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions
- 2007 Tribute album De største er de små - sange til Anker [The Small Ones are the Greatest – Songs for Anker] by various artists.
- 2007 Honorary member of the Social Democratic Youth of Denmark
[edit] Books
- Fra mine dagbøger, 1989-1990. ISBN 87-557-1543-5 og ISBN 87-557-1544-3
- 1972-1975: Bølgegang
- 1975-1977: I smult vande
- 1978-1982: Brændingen
- Fra Christianshavn til Christiansborg : erindringer 1922-1972 / Anker Jørgensen, Fremad, 1994. ISBN 87-557-1832-9
[edit] External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jens Otto Krag |
Prime Minister of Denmark 5 October 1972 – 19 December 1973 |
Succeeded by Poul Hartling |
| Preceded by Poul Hartling |
Prime Minister of Denmark 13 February 1975 – 10 September 1982 |
Succeeded by Poul Schlüter |
| Preceded by Knud Børge Andersen |
Foreign Minister of Denmark 1 July 1978 – 30 August 1978 |
Succeeded by Henning Christophersen |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Jens Otto Krag |
Leader of the Danish Social Democrats 1972 – 1987 |
Succeeded by Svend Auken |
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