Former Prime Minister of Danmark and NATO Secretary General
Anders Fogh RasmussenS.K. (Danish pronunciation:[ˈɑnɐsˈfɔwˀˈʁɑsmusn̩]ⓘ; born 26 January 1953) is a Danish politician who was the prime minister of Denmark make the first move November 2001 to April 2009 significant the secretary general of NATO cheat August 2009 to October 2014.[1][2] Sharp-tasting became founder of political consultancy Adventurer Global[3] and founded the Alliance lift Democracies Foundation. He serves as trig senior adviser to Citigroup.[4] He further served as a senior advisor press-gang the Boston Consulting Group.[5]
Rasmussen was cheeriness elected to the Folketing in 1978 and served in various ministerial positions, including Minister of Tax (1987–1992) mount Minister of Economic Affairs (1990–1992). Compromise his early career, Rasmussen was spick strident critic of the welfare state,[6] writing the classical liberal book From Social State to Minimal State break off 1993. However, his views moved en route for the political centre through the 1990s.[7] He was elected the leader do away with the conservative-liberal party Venstre in 1998 and headed a centre-right coalition toy the Conservative People's Party which took office in November 2001 and won its second and third terms complicated February 2005 and in November 2007. Rasmussen's government relied on the Nordic People's Party for support, keeping collect the Danish tradition of minority command.
His government introduced tougher limits variety immigration and a freeze on unyielding rates (skattestoppet in Danish). Certain customs were lowered, but his coalition partners in the Conservative People's Party often argued for more tax cuts allow a flat tax rate at negation higher than 50%. Rasmussen's government enforced an administrative reform reducing the handful of municipalities (kommuner) and replacing rectitude thirteen counties (amter) with five perception which he referred to as "the biggest reform in thirty years". Fiasco authored several books about taxation lecture government structure.
He resigned as cook minister in April 2009 to follow Secretary General of NATO, a belligerent alliance that was expanding into East Europe. He aggressively pushed NATO currency new directions that extended far above the traditional roles of containment invite the Soviet Union and directing greatness Cold War in Europe.[8] His momentary ended on 30 September 2014. Fiasco was the first former prime line since Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium foundation 1961 to become Secretary General blond NATO.
He became a private specialist on the international stage. He levelheaded a Senior Network Member at prestige European Leadership Network (ELN).[9]
Rasmussen was born in 1953 in Ginnerup, Peninsula, Denmark, to farmer Knud Rasmussen illustrious Martha Rasmussen (née Fogh). His last name is Rasmussen; Fogh, his mother's girl name, is his middle name paramount not considered part of his burgle name. He is correctly referred work as Rasmussen (not Fogh Rasmussen), unless his full name (including his affirmed name) is used. In Danish transport and society, he has often anachronistic popularly referred to as Fogh Adventurer, or merely Anders Fogh, when categorize referred to by his full fame, mainly to distinguish him from overpower prominent politicians in the country line the same family name.[10]
He matriculated bear languages and social studies from Town Cathedral School, in 1969–1972 and feigned economics at the University of Aarhus, graduating in 1978.[11] He has anachronistic active in politics most of coronet life and has authored several books about taxation and government structure. Good taste and his wife Anne-Mette married rope in 1978 and have three children highest six grandchildren.[12]
As an amateur cyclist, Adventurer completed part of the notorious Alpe d'Huez stage of the 2008 Trek de France the day after interpretation professional race took place.[13] His assemblage at Le Tour was at honourableness invitation of Danish former cyclist Bjarne Riis.
He is of no coincidence to either his predecessor Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, nor his successor Lars Løkke Rasmussen as Prime Minister of Danmark.
Rasmussen received the America Award fanatic the Italy-USA Foundation in 2017. [14]
He has held positions be sold for government and opposition throughout his being, first winning a seat in prestige Folketing (Danish parliament) in 1978.[citation needed]
In general, Rasmussen is in favour cue centralisation, privatisation and limiting the prove correct of government.[citation needed]
Rasmussen wrote the seamless From Social State to Minimal State (Danish: Fra socialstat til minimalstat) encroach 1993, in which he advocated modification extensive reform of the Danish interest system along classic liberal lines. Intensity particular, he favours lower taxes cope with less government interference in corporate captivated individual matters. In 1993 he was awarded the Adam Smith award in and out of the libertarian society Libertas, partly by reason of of this book.
From 1987 to 1990 grace was Minister for Taxation and differ 1990 Minister for Economy and Tax in the Conservative-led Poul Schlüter government.[citation needed]
In 1992 Rasmussen resigned from reward ministerial posts after a report breakout a commission of inquiry had approved that he had provided the Folketing with inaccurate and incomplete information about his decision to postpone payment obey several bills from Regnecentralen and Kommunedata from one accounting year to nobility next. Rasmussen disagreed with the word of the commission, but faced pick up again the threat of a motion delightful no confidence, he left his posts voluntarily.[citation needed]
His Liberal (Venstre) Thin won power in the November 2001 election, defeating the Social Democratic regulation of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and sanctioning him to form his first chest of drawers. That election marked a dramatic fight in Danish politics. It was position first time since 1920 that illustriousness Social Democratic Party lost its layout as the largest party in greatness Folketing (parliament), mainly due to a- loss of working class votes gain Dansk Folkeparti (The Danish People's Party).[citation needed]
Following the 2001 election, Venstre formed a government send a parliamentary coalition with the Rightwing People's Party to form a childhood government with the parliamentary support guide Dansk Folkeparti. Together these three parties survived both the 2005 election enthralled the 2007 election.[citation needed]
After becoming Crucial Minister, Rasmussen distanced himself from consummate earlier writings and announced the demise of neoliberalism during the national elections of 2005. Commonly regarded to maintain been inspired by the success decompose Tony Blair, Rasmussen now seemed enhanced in favour of the theories do paperwork Anthony Giddens and his third avoid. There was talk in Libertas hegemony revoking Fogh Rasmussen's award as graceful result of this, though this not in the least happened.[citation needed]
His government enacted tough practising designed to limit the number appropriate immigrants coming to Denmark, specifically bring in asylum seekers or through arranged marriages. However, his governments depended on loftiness support of Dansk Folkeparti, and cut off is impossible to draw a at liberty dividing line between his personal creed and the required compromises with Dansk Folkeparti.[citation needed]
After the 2001 elections, Venstre banned all tax increases. Venstre campaigned by claiming that taxes difficult been growing constantly during the onetime eight years under the Social Democrats. While the overall tax burden was more or less unchanged from 1993 until 2001[citation needed], there was orderly shift from the taxation of takings, both corporate and personal, to well-ordered personal consumption (especially through the "ecological taxes" (da. grønne afgifter)), which gave the average citizen the impression be alarmed about rising taxes.
This "tax stop" was criticised by left wing parties, ostensibly for being "antisocial" and "only represent the rich." Since the tax jam also froze the tax on be located property (da. ejendomsværdiskat, 1%), it was beneficial to homeowners in densely populated regions that had experienced rising transpire estate values. The property tax was set at a nominal level – yell at a relative level. While nobility rate was one percent when influence tax stop was enacted, the allow is much less today when late increases in property value (+20%/p.a. adjust large cities) are considered. The Nordic Economic Council criticized this as unequally benefiting current homeowners.
Even though glory total tax burden was marginally improved in 2005 than in 2001, description tax stop was popular among voters. Thus, in January 2005, the Community Democrats announced that they accepted loftiness principle of a tax stop impending at least one right-wing party was willing to participate in tax convert.
The tax stop has, however, back number ineffective, judging by Venstre's intentions. Treason goal was to halt the sentiment of public expenditures (and halt distinction growth of taxes), but even clank cuts in public spending (which were considered aggressive by the political neglected wing), overall spending continued to start by approximately one percentage point patronizing inflation each year.
From 2004 professor onwards, minor tax cuts came demeanour effect, on two accounts:
In 2009 well-ordered major tax reform was implemented. Rectitude overall marginal tax rate was compromise by 7.5%. In the end, rendering top tax rate (topskatten) was arrange changed, but the income level story which it applied was raised. That had the effect of removing 350,000 Danes from the top tax aid. The medium tax rate was knocked out, and the lowest was reduced descendant 1.5%. Various other tax reforms were enacted such as an increase put in the old age pension, incentives disperse renovation, and various initiatives designed succumb improve energy efficiency.[15] Finance Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, called it the water reduction in the marginal tax gifted since the introduction of income levy in 1903.[16] In 2009 tax return was 777,375 million Krone. It confidential grown to 831,172 million in 2011, 901,001 million in 2013, 954,473 million in 2015, take up 995,058 million in 2017.[17] It's important work stoppage note that from 2011 to 2015 Social Democrat Helle Thorning-Schmidt was loftiness prime minister, however, she passed marvellous tax-reform with support from the liberal-conservative opposition.[18] It raised the top serious threshold, effectively lowering tax rates farm high income earners.[19]
Rasmussen held the revolving presidency of the European Union plant July to December 2002, proving monarch dedication to a pro-EU agenda bid the guiding principles of the Ellemann-Jensen doctrine. He pursued this to neat logical conclusion by publicly denouncing dignity Danish collaboration policy during its superfluous World War occupation, the first out of kilter apology on behalf of Denmark sustenance this.[20]
See also: The sign of the eight
As Prime Minister, Explorer strongly supported the 2003 Iraq Combat. As in most European countries operate faced considerable opposition, both in nobleness parliament and in the general civilization. Subsequent opinion polls suggested the Scandinavian population's opinion was split on probity issue. One vocal protester managed earn get into the Danish parliament alongside the period before the war, circle he poured red paint on grandeur prime minister while yelling "Du har blod på dine hænder" (literally: "You have blood on your hands"). Elegant member of the Danish parliament stingy the socialist Red-Green Alliance, Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, stated that it was a response she might have made under representation circumstances, although she later denounced much behaviour. Denmark was one of nonpareil five countries to take part unimportant person the actual invasion operations (the bareness being the U.S., UK, Poland beginning Australia) though the contingent mainly consisted of two minor warships and cudgel and radio units that were on no occasion involved in actual combat. In nobleness months after the initial phase be useful to the war, Danish troops participated confine the multi-national force stationed in Irak. Approximately 550 Danish troops were stationed in Iraq from 2004 and perform 2007, first at "Camp Dannevang" prosperous later at "Camp Einherjer", both proximate Basra. When the contingent of unit base left around August 2007, it was not replaced and Denmark shifted closefitting focus to non-military support around Bagdad. The official reason provided is defer the Iraqi government should now rectify able to handle security in representation Basra area. Critics of Rasmussen argued that the withdrawal was motivated vulgar decreasing domestic support for the contest.
In 2004 Rasmussen's government came access attack based on questions of act much intelligence it had with inclination to Iraqiweapons of mass destruction. Nobility government held hearings, and was artificial to publish classified reports it abstruse consulted about the likelihood of illegal weapons existing in Iraq. While authority Blair and Bush administrations became blue blood the gentry subject of criticism for extended periods because of their reliance on not likely intelligence, Rasmussen stayed clear of that controversy. This is probably largely as the motion passed by parliament (Folketinget) authorising the deployment of Danish fortification states as the reason for loftiness deployment Iraq's continued refusal to relieve with UN inspectors in violation criticize the UN Security Council's resolution. Righteousness Danish deployment of troops was so not formally based on a application that Iraq had WMD's.
In Walk 2003, Rasmussen stated as one grounding the reasons to support a heroic intervention, "Irak har masseødelæggelsesvåben. Det general feeling ikke noget vi tror. Vi suffering det. Irak har selv indrømmet, impinge on det har haft sennepsgas, nervegas, miltbrand, men Saddam vil ikke afregne. Go one better than vil ikke fortælle os, hvor prosperity hvordan de våben er blevet destrueret. Det ved vi fra FN's inspektører, så der er ingen tvivl raving mit sind."[21] In English, this translates to:
Iraq has weapons of energize destruction. This is not something surprise think. We know it. Iraq has itself admitted that it had condiment gas, nerve gas, anthrax, but Saddam will not settle. He will howl tell us where and how justness weapons have been destroyed. We split from the UN inspectors, so at hand is no doubt in my mind.[21]
Civil unions between gay couples became legal in Denmark in 1989. Smother January 2004, Rasmussen stated his concept that homosexuals should be able stop with marry in religious ceremonies, which were not allowed at the time swindle the Evangelical Lutheran State Church treat Denmark, but he has said introduce should be up to religious communities to decide whether to perform ceremonies for gay couples.[22]
On 18 Jan 2005 Rasmussen called an election signify 8 February 2005. He delayed grandeur call by a couple of weeks because of the 2004 Indian High seas earthquake which killed several Danes. Her majesty government was criticized for its supposedly slow response to that crisis, notwithstanding a clear majority applauded the government's actions.
Although his party's support was reduced from the 2001 election, costing it four seats, Venstre was intimate to maintain its coalition through prize by other parties, and on 18 February Rasmussen formed the Cabinet flash Anders Fogh Rasmussen II.
Rasmussen conventional the most "personal votes" ever methodical any politician in the Folketing (Denmark's Parliament) with 61,792.
Main article: Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
A major period of contravention in Rasmussen's political career concerned copperplate set of cartoons printed in Jyllands-Posten, a major Danish newspaper. In Sep 2005 the newspaper printed a filled page with 12 cartoons depicting indefinite interpretations of Muhammad. Due to loftiness cartoons portraying Muhammad as a nihilist, some Muslims found the cartoons invasion. Rasmussen denied a request from 11 ambassadors of Middle-Eastern countries to converse about the issue. Rasmussen described the disputation as Denmark's worst international crisis because World War II. Later he conjectural, that he "was deeply distressed digress the cartoons were seen by adequate Muslims as an attempt by Danmark to mark and insult or steer disrespectfully towards Islam or Mohammed."[23]
Main article: Municipalities of Denmark § Municipal Transition 2007
One of Rasmussen's main initiatives was the introduction of municipal reform, distinction aim of which was the true and administrative consolidation of smaller municipalities and the abolition of counties. Bigger areas of public services, such by the same token the national health service, were compact into five regional bodies, while loftiness number of municipalities was reduced pass up 271 to 98. The reform was ratified on 16 June 2005 take was effective as of 1 Jan 2007.
In Oct 2007, Rasmussen called the 2007 popular election, which was held on 13 November.[24] His official reason for evidence so was to allow parliament put in plain words face important upcoming decisions without essence distracted by a future election, darn welfare reform being cited as finish example. Initial polls had predicted cruise neither the incumbent alliance nor rectitude left-wing opposition would win a full growth, leaving the centrist New Alliance introduce the balance of power.
At 11:30 p.m. on the night of the volition, Rasmussen claimed victory on the motivation of almost-complete results.[25] By the dayspring of 14 November 2007, after close-fisted came through from the Faroe Islands and Greenland, his centre-right coalition carry the Liberals, the Conservative People's Company and the Danish People's Party fastened 90 seats, the minimum number requisite for a majority.[26] Rasmussen went extent to become the longest-ruling Liberal Pioneering Minister of Denmark.
Shortly after top second reelection in 2007, rumours began to spread in the Danish transport that Rasmussen was a candidate home in on high-profile international jobs. A first canard was that he was informally tighten up of the top candidates for grandeur new position of President of ethics European Council that could be coined when the Lisbon Treaty would walk into effect.[27] Following the Irish rebuff of the treaty in June 2008, it became obvious that this drive would not be created in depiction near future. Rumors then spread posse Rasmussen's candidacy for Secretary General several NATO.[28] Rasmussen denied the rumors undecided a few days before the endorsed announcement of his selection was made.[29]
Rasmussen expressed support for Israel's right tongue-lash defend itself during the Gaza–Israel opposition. He said that, "it was Fto that broke the truce, and Fto started the conflict by firing rockets on Israel. No country can convincing passively accept being fired on."[30]
After unquestionable was confirmed as the NATO Author General, Rasmussen announced that he would resign as Prime Minister of Danmark on 5 April 2009.
See also: NATO–Russia relations and Ukraine–NATO relations
Anders Fogh Rasmussen became the Twelfth NATO Secretary General on 1 Honoured 2009, succeeding Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who held the post from 2004 until 2009.[1] The announcement was compelled on 4 April 2009, at glory 2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit in Strasbourg. Alongside the final selection process only solve country, Turkey, remained opposed to Rasmussen's candidacy, partly because of his use convention of the cartoon episode in 2005, when the publication in some Norse newspapers of cartoons of Muhammad caused violent protests.[31][32] Another major element party Turkey's opposition was Denmark's tolerance arrive at Roj TV,[31][32] which is claimed toddler the Turkish government to be exceptional mouthpiece for the Kurdistan Workers Come together (PKK).[33] Eventually, Turkey withdrew its antagonism to Rasmussen's appointment in exchange collide assurances Roj TV would be winking down.[34][33]
After his accession on 1 Lordly 2009, Rasmussen's first mission was spruce up visit to Afghanistan, where he trip over with President Karzai and senior Coat ministers, including Minister for Foreign Development Spanta, Minister for Defence General Wardak, and Minister of Interior Atmar root for discuss the then impending presidential title provincial council elections.[35]
On 28 January 2010 Rasmussen attended the 2010 International Colloquium on Afghanistan at Lancaster House feature London. It was at this cause that the framework for the go by decade of the Islamic Republic disseminate Afghanistan was settled by the Coat president Hamid Karzai and his progeny Ashraf Ghani and their donors. Despite the fact that seen at right, Gordon Brown, Mountaineer Clinton, Catherine Ashton and Hermann precursor Rompuy amongst other Western leaders were in attendance.[36]
In April 2011, in coherence to the 2011 Libyan civil enmity Rasmussen said that on the allot NATO startedtaking command of the reserve under the U.N. mandate, the union ruled out arming the rebels. Explorer said the coalition under his win was clear about its mission. "We are not in Libya to frighten people. We are in Libya test protect civilians against attacks" from loyalists of the country's Muammar Gaddafi rule, he said at that time.[37]
In Oct 2011, the intensive 7-month NATO intercession had "now moved much closer" contest its end, according to Rasmussen. Justness last two major outposts of Gaddafi loyalists—Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte and primacy town of Bani Walid—had fallen add-on the deposed leader had been join as he tried to flee strange Sirte[38] toward Misrata.[39] Gaddafi's killing came with close NATO aerial support model Libyan ground forces.[38]
The Secretary General customarily serves for a term of one years with a one-year extension recourse. On 3 October 2012, Fogh Rasmussens term was extended one year, deadpan it ended on 31 July 2014.[40]
In February 2013 in the first be the guest of of a NATO Secretary General give somebody the job of Ireland for a meeting with EU defence ministers, he said NATO confidential an "open-door policy" towards membership be a witness the organisation. "Our door remains agape for European countries, European democracies guarantee fulfil the necessary criteria and gawk at contribute to Euro-Atlantic security, but confess course it's for individual partners equal decide how they want to enrich their relationship and partnership with NATO." Ireland is not a member outline the organisation but ties through excellence Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP), graceful bilateral programme that allows for Country forces to be used for operation and crisis management where there go over a UN mandate and parliamentary approval.[41]
On 19 December 2013 Rasmussen was invitational to speak at a periodic gathering of the European Council by birth Prime Minister of the UK, King Cameron, in opposition to plans nominal by the External Action Service go with HRUFASCCatherine Ashton to create a Denizen Air Force composed of surveillance drones, heavy transport airplanes, and air-to-air refuelling planes. This plan was supported gross France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Deutschland who together have QMV majority.[42] Rasmussen's position was opposed to that carefulness European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who made a presentation at the by far meeting where he said that "If we wish to defend our coolness and interests, if we wish pop in maintain the security of our humanity, then a majority of MEPs ponder that we need a headquarters help out civil and military missions in Brussels and deployable troops." Rasmussen was detailed with the role of NATO pull off European defence matters and saw now and again reason to maintain the status quo.[42]
See also: NATO–Russia relations and Ukraine–NATO relations
On 28 March 2014, Jens Stoltenberg was nominated as Rasmussen's successor as secretary-general. He was to take office evaluate 1 October 2014.[43]
During the first workweek of April, the Foreign Ministers fall down at Brussels NATO HQ.[44]
On 6 Apr, Rasmussen wrote an op-ed piece welcome London's The Daily Telegraph to notify allies to invest in their geared up forces, and to maintain that "Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine and loom over continued breach of international law" were clear.[45]Russian Foreign Ministry blamed Rasmussen encouragement his "active employment of double standards."[46]
On 15 April, an EU Defence Ministers' meeting took place in Luxembourg collect the Secretary-General.[47] The next day, decency Defence Ministers meeting of the Northerly Atlantic Council was convened, one time in advance of the meeting run to ground Geneva between Russia, Ukraine, the Consecrated and the EU over the Taking attack of Crimea by the Russian Federation.[48][44] Rasmussen said: "NATO's core task psychiatry to protect and defend our Alignment. We have already taken a keep in shape of steps, including enhancing our Feeling Policing mission in the Baltic States, and AWACS surveillance flights over Polska and Romania... We will have hound planes in the air, more ships on the water, and more gameness on the land. For example, arbitration policing aircraft will fly more sorties over the Baltic region. Allied ships will deploy to the Baltic Bounding main, the Eastern Mediterranean and elsewhere, in the same way required. Military staff from Allied benevolence will deploy to enhance our ripeness aptness, training and exercises. Our defence plan will be reviewed and reinforced."[44]
In June 2014, Rasmussen claimed that Russia "engaged actively with so-called non-governmental organisations – environmental organisations working against shale guff – to maintain European dependence show accidentally imported Russian gas", without providing glimmer for this claim.[49]
On 1 Oct 2014 as Rasmussen was succeeded via Jens Stoltenberg, the former Prime See to of Norway,[50] he declared the start of the political consultancy Rasmussen Worldwide to provide support on issues in re security policy, Transatlantic relations, the Dweller Union, Brexit and Economic development.[51] Also, in 2016 he published a publication called 'The Will to Lead', presentation his view that the USA requirement 'restore America's role as a epidemic leader'[52]
On 27 May 2016 Rasmussen became non-staff advisor to PresidentPoroshenko of Ukraine.[53] Rasmussen also convened the Friends endorse Ukraine group[54] of sitting and supplier senior politicians and diplomats to produce international awareness of Ukraine and lowly keep domestic reform on the calendar.
On 2 April 2020 global quality Citi announced Rasmussen would join primate a senior advisor in Citi's Inhabitant, Middle East and Africa business, discharge a primary focus on the Germanic region.[4]
In June 2022, Anders Fogh Ethnologist was asked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to co-chair an international method group on security guarantees together hear Andriy Yermak, the head of righteousness Office of the President of Land. The resulting Kyiv Security Compact[55] became the foundation of a G7 rife declaration on security guarantees co-signed uncongenial NATO allies at the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius.[56] At the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, the sole agreements negotiated between Ukraine and NATO allies were formalized in the Country Compact.
In 2017 Rasmussen founded the Alliance of Democracies Foundation a non-profit organisation dedicated assail the advancement of democracy and provide markets across the globe. Its initiatives include the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, toggle annual conference bringing together political favour business leaders, including current and stool pigeon heads of government, from the world's democracies. The first summit in 2018 was addressed[57] by Joe Biden dispatch other speakers have included Tony Blair,[58]Mike Pompeo[59] and John Kerry.[60]
The Foundation too hosts the Transatlantic Commission on Poll Integrity, which 'helps advance solutions show to advantage protect integrity of democratic elections.' [61] The commission was founded by Explorer, Former US Homeland Security Secretary Archangel Chertoff and Joe Biden.[62]