Astrid Krag (born 17 November 1982) is a Danish politician, who is a member of the Folketing for the Social Democrats political party. She served as the Minister of Social Affairs and the Interior in the Cabinet of Mette Frederiksen. She previously served as Minister of Health and Prevention in the Cabinet of Helle Thorning-Schmidt from October 2011 until January 2014.

Astrid Krag
Astrid Krag at the SF party convention in 2010.
Minister of Social and Elderly Affairs
In office
21 January 2021 – 15 December 2022
Prime MinisterMette Frederiksen
Preceded byHerself (Social Affairs and the Interior)
Succeeded byPernille Rosenkrantz-Theil
Minister of Social Affairs and the Interior
In office
27 June 2019 – 21 January 2021
Prime MinisterMette Frederiksen
Preceded byEllen Trane Nørby
Succeeded byKaare Dybvad
Minister of Health and Prevention
In office
3 October 2011 – 3 February 2014
Prime MinisterHelle Thorning-Schmidt
Preceded byBertel Haarder
Succeeded byNick Hækkerup
Member of the Folketing
Assumed office
13 November 2007
ConstituencyZealand
Personal details
Born (1982-11-17) 17 November 1982 (age 41)
Vejle, Denmark
Political partySocial Democrats
Other political
affiliations
Socialist People's Party
SpouseAndreas Seebach

She was a part of the SF youth movement since her high school years at Tørring Amtsgymnasium. She studied political science at the University of Copenhagen from 2003 to 2007, and in November 2007 she was elected to parliament. She lives on Amager, is married to musician Andreas Seebach with whom she has a daughter and a son.[1]

Political career

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She was elected to the Danish Parliament in 2007.[2] During her time as a member of parliament she was spokesperson for the Socialist People's Party on the topics of immigration, citizenship and elder care. She has been noted as a supporter of a somewhat stricter immigration policy, than the party has previously pursued.[1]

She had been described as a member of the party's right wing, but described herself as a "reform socialist", in the pragmatic center of the party.[3] When leader of the Socialist People's Party Villy Søvndal announced that he would step down in September 2012, she announced her candidacy as new leader, and garnered supporting statements from most of the party top.[4][5][6] Her opponent in the bid for party leadership was Annette Vilhelmsen, of the party's left wing, who won with 64% percent of the votes.

In January 2014 as the Socialist People's Party left the government coalition, Astrid Krag left the People's party to become a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party.

On 27 June 2019, she became Minister of Social Affairs and the Interior in the Frederiksen Cabinet.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b SF's unge formandshåb? Portræt af Astrid Krag(in Danish)
  2. ^ Biography on the website of the Danish Parliament (Folketinget)
  3. ^ "Når ungdommen tager over". 13 September 2012.
  4. ^ Profile and Analysis At The Danish National Radio Website
  5. ^ Announcement of Candidacy in Danish Newspaper Information
  6. ^ analysis of Krag's Candidacy in the Copenhagen Post
  7. ^ Deleuran Müller, Thea (27 June 2019). "Danmarks nye regering er nu på plads: Se hele Mette Frederiksens ministerhold her". dr.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 25 March 2020.
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Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Health
2011–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Social Affairs
2019–
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Minister of the Interior
2019–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Elderly Affairs
2021–
Succeeded by
Incumbent