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Poul Nyrup Rasmussen MEP
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| In office 25 January 1993 – 27 November 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Poul Schlüter |
| Succeeded by | Anders Fogh Rasmussen |
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| Assumed office 19 July 2004 |
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President of the Party of European Socialists
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| Assumed office April 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Robin Cook |
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Leader of the Social Democrats
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| In office 1992 – 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Svend Auken |
| Succeeded by | Mogens Lykketoft |
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| Born | 15 June 1943 Esbjerg, Denmark |
| Political party | Social Democrats Party of European Socialists |
| Religion | Lutheran/Church of Denmark |
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (Danish pronunciation: [⁽ˈ⁾pʰʌʊ̯l ny(ː)ɔb̥ ˈʁɑsmusn̩]), informally Poul Nyrup ([⁽ˈ⁾pʰʌʊ̯l nyːˀɔb̥]), born June 15, 1943), was Prime Minister of Denmark from January 25, 1993 to November 27, 2001 and is currently a Member of the European Parliament and President of the Party of European Socialists (PES). He was the leader of the governing Social Democrats from 1992 to 2002. He is not related to the succeeding two Prime Ministers of Denmark, Anders Fogh Rasmussen or Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
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Early life
Rasmussen was born to a working-class family in Esbjerg in 1943. His parents were Oluf Nyrup Rasmussen and Vera Eline Nyrup Rasmussen. He was educated at the University of Copenhagen, earning a degree in Economics in 1971. While studying he was active in the social democratic student union Frit Forum, where he met some of his future political colleagues. He paid his way through university by doing several jobs, like counting traffic and being a part-time delivery boy.
Prime Minister 1993-2001
Rasmussen came to power in early 1993 when then-Prime Minister Poul Schlüter resigned after an inquiry found that he had misinformed the Folketing about the so-called Tamil Case.
A coalition of Social Democrats, Social Liberals, Centre Democrats and Christian Democrats, Rasmussen's first cabinet made use of limited classical Keynesianism in connection with the so-called kick-start of 1993-94 as its economic policy. Under Rasmussen, Denmark experienced the most comprehensive privatisation of publicly-owned assets in the 20th century.[citation needed] The Christian Democrats left the coalition after their defeat in the 1994 Folketing election, as did the Centre Democrats in late 1996. Key ministers were Economy and Deputy Prime Minister, Social Liberal leader Marianne Jelved, Finance Minister Mogens Lykketoft (Social Democrats) and Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen (Social Liberals).
The centre-left coalition only narrowly held on to its parliamentary majority in the 1998 Folketing election. After the election Prime Minister Rasmussen stated that the government's first order of business was to secure a "yes" vote in the upcoming referendum on ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty between the member states of the European Union. Eventually there were 55% "yes" votes in the Danish Amsterdam Treaty referendum. Rasmussen's government later presided over the 2000 referendum on Danish participation in the Euro, in which participation was rejected by 53.2% of the vote.
A 1998 initiative, dubbed the Whitsun Packet (Danish: Pinsepakken) from the season it was issued, increased taxes, limiting private consumption. It was not universally popular with the electorate, which may have been a factor in the Social Democrats' defeat in the 2001 parliamentary election.
Rasmussen called an early election in 2001, saying this would give the next prime minister time to prepare for Denmark's upcoming presidency of the European Union in 2002. The patriarchal role Rasmussen had built for himself since the September 11 attacks had gained him and the Social Liberals their highest poll ratings in years, a lead that would be eroded in the buildup to the election.[1]
He was up against Liberal leader Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The campaign focused mainly on immigration and refugees, which worked to the benefit of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party. Two in every three Danes now supported tighter immigration restrictions, compared to only one in two before September 11. In the last few days of the campaign a number of predominantly left-leaning artists and intellectuals urged the Danish electorate not to vote for a rightwing government, warning that the Danish People's Party would then be likely to wield great influence on government policy.[1]
Other campaign focuses were on welfare and health care. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen stated the aim of creating a more robust economy to deal with the economic downturn.[2] There was little debate about the European Union as the two leaders' opinions on that subject were largely the same.
The loss of power in the 2001 election to Anders Fogh Rasmussen's Venstre meant that the Social Democrats lost their position as the largest party in the Folketing, a position they had held without interruption since the Danish Folketing election in 1924. On election night Rasmussen vowed to stay on as party leader, famously declaring, "I will not run away with my tail between my legs."[3] He announced an effort of "renewal" within the Social Democrats, urging the promotion of centrist party members to leadership positions. Influential factions opposed Rasmussen's efforts, calling his leadership into question, and in late 2002 he announced that he would be stepping down as chairman.[4]
European Parliament, 2004
Rasmussen currently sits as a MEP for the Party of European Socialists after winning a record number of 407,966 votes for an individual (from Denmark) in the European Parliamentary elections in 2004. He currently sits on both the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.
A key issue tackled by Rasmussen in the European Parliament has been the lack of regulation for private equity and hedge funds. He has been working to secure greater regulation in this area since long before the onset of the financial crisis. His report, proposing binding rules for all players as well as greater transparency and accountability, was passed by the European Parliament in September 2008. Rasmussen has since criticised the European Commission, and in particular Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso and Commissioner Charlie McCreevy for failing to respond to the report with sufficient speed or dedication[5].
Rasmussen has also slammed the Commission's response to the economic crisis; in March 2009 he wrote: "A new, updated Recovery Plan is needed now, otherwise there will be 25 million unemployed in 2010. There must be real coordination focused on real investments. Europe also needs to do more for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is in our common economic and political interest to prevent financial meltdown in those countries. Europe talks a lot about solidarity, now is the time it is really needed."[6]
Party of European Socialists, 2004-2009
In 2004 Rasmussen defeated Giuliano Amato to be elected President of the PES, succeeding Robin Cook in the post. He was re-elected for a further 2.5 years at the PES Congress in Porto on 8 December 2006. The position involves coordinating the political vision of the party, ensuring unity, chairing the party presidency and representing the party on a regular basis. As PES President he is also President of the Global Progressive Forum and sits on committee of Transatlantic Dialogue, which fosters cooperation between progressives from the USA and Europe.Rasmussen has played a central role in making the party more inclusive and oversaw the launch of the network 'PES Activists', as well as a radically participative consultation process to construct the party's manifesto for the European election 2009.
Rasmussen's influence in politicising the PES can be seen in the party's headline political initiative, New Social Europe[7]. Based on a report written by Rasmussen and former President of the European Commission Jacques Delors, this aims at creating a "fairer, more inclusive, and more dynamic society". Rasmussen defined ten core principles for New Social Europe:
Rights and duties for all
Outlines that PES does not wish to leave society to be shaped by market forces, but instead advocates rights and duties to hold together a modern welfare society. Government has a duty to ensure citizens have access to public services and to protect their rights. In return, government expects citizens and other actors to contribute to the welfare society. Businesses have a right to fair competition in a transparent and stable environment. Their duty is to contribute to public finances, aid full employment, increase skills in their workforce and aid society through corporate social responsibility. As for the individuals, they have a right to participate fully in society and the workforce while their duty is to advance through education and training.
Full employment
Realise full and high quality employment in the context of a modern welfare state. Labour markets would be made more dynamic though inclusive polices of security and support, including fighting age discrimination. The EU and its member states would have to provide conditions for "smart, green growth and the EMU would be geared towards coordinated economic polices of high growth and job creation.
Investing in people
Focus on improving the abilities of low-skilled workers rather than just concentrating on opportunities for the highly skilled. Education, training and social tools would be used, not just to improve the skills of citizens, but to fight social exclusion and reach full employment - PES state that "Those who need high quality education most – the poor and disadvantaged – are still those who receive it least in many European countries."
Inclusive societies
Policies at all levels to aim to tackle the exclusion of groups such as the elderly, ethnic minorities or those from poor communities. Provisions for healthcare, social services and childcare would be provided with new legislation examined for its social consequences rather than a strictly economic outlook.
Universal child care
Provisions for high quality, affordable, child care to be made available to ensure children have a good start to education while freeing parents to enter paid employment. This would also be helping equal rights for men and women and help the EU deal with its demographic changes.
Equal rights for women and men
Greater gender equality to improve women's status in the workplace and their pay. PES sees this not just as a "moral imperative" but as a "key to solving the demographic challenge, to strengthening democracy and ensuring higher welfare for families"
Social dialogue
Maintaining the presence of organised labour, seen as "invaluable". PES wants to encourage social dialogue between employers and employees to help rights, employment and economic growth. This to make a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.
Making diversity and integration our strength
Fight all forms of xenophobia and encourage tolerance to people, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Sustainable migration policies and a respect for diversity are seen as contributors to economic and social goals such as integration and anti-discrimination. PES sees the EU having a huge responsibility in managing migration and its causes abroad.
Sustainable societies
Fighting climate change to assure social justice, environmental protection and economic progress. Rising energy prices would hit the poorest hardest and PES state that the EU should take a leading role in a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement.
An active Europe for people
PES see the EU as more than just a market place but rather something that can bring "greater shared prosperity for people, stronger social cohesion and social justice." This would be done through competition, but not between member states, cooperation, but not against social protection and solidarity through the EUs cohesion.
Timeline
Personal life
Rasmussen is married to Lone Dybkjær, a member of the Folketing (and a former MEP) for the centrist Radikale Venstre. He enjoys holidaying with his wife in their second house as well as swimming, walking, and reflecting with friends. He also likes listening to music.[8]
Miscellaneous
Rasmussen is a member of the Club of Madrid.[9] In 2007 he published the book I grådighedens tid (In a Time of Greed), which contains harsh criticism of the role hedge and venture capital funds play in the global economy.
Notes
- ^ a b BBC News | EUROPE | Rasmussen v Rasmussen
- ^ BBC News | EUROPE | Danish PM calls snap election
- ^ BBC News | EUROPE | Analysis: Denmark's shift to the right
- ^ (Danish) DR Nyheder Online: Kronologi over den seneste tids tumult i Socialdemokratiet
- ^ Details of 'Rasmussen report' on private equity
- ^ Rasmussen's criticism of the European Commission's response to the economic crisis
- ^ 10 core principles of New Social Europe
- ^ About Nyrup, from Rasmussen's personal website
- ^ Full members of the Club of Madrid listed at its official homepage
External links
- European Parliament biography of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (incl. Speeches, Questions and Motions)
- DeclarationPDF of financial interests (Danish)
- Party of European Socialists manifesto for European elections 2009
- President's page on PES website
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Poul Schlüter |
Prime Minister of Denmark January 25, 1993 – November 27, 2001 |
Succeeded by Anders Fogh Rasmussen |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Svend Auken |
Leader of the Danish Social Democrats 1992 – 2002 |
Succeeded by Mogens Lykketoft |
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