Government reshuffles again as Vestager leaves for EU

Morten Østergaard named as new leader of the Radikale party

The economy and internal affairs minister, Margrethe Vestager – who is also the leader of the Radikale party – is leaving Danish politics to become Denmark’s new EU commissioner.

The Danish prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, revealed that Vestager is one of 27 EU-member state commissioners due to be appointed over the next few weeks in Brussels by the new EU Commission head, Jean-Claude Juncker.

“Juncker has revealed to me that Vestager will be given a high posting that will benefit Denmark and fit in with her obvious political and professional ability,” Thorning-Schmidt told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

“She is a strong card for Denmark and I expect much from her. However, I can’t reveal which posting I am referring to at the moment.”

READ MORE: Danes shell out the most in the EU

Østergaard to take over
Morten Østergaard, the current tax minister, will assume the reins as the head of the Radikale party and also take over Vestager’s position as the economy and internal affairs minister.

The reshuffling means that Denmark will be getting its eighth tax minister since 2010. While it is not known yet who will be replacing the departing Østergaard, the former justice minister, Morten Bødskov, and two Socialdemokraterne spokespeople, Benny Engelbrecht and John Dyrby Paulsen, are among the favourites.

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