Ellemann-Jensen leaving politics

Liberal Party Chairman Jakob Ellemann-Jensen is retiring from politics with immediate effect, with Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen taking over his ministerial posts in the run-up to the national congress. Ellemann-Jensen is stepping down after four highly dramatic years as chairman of the Liberal Party and as economy minister. He confirmed his withdrawal at a press conference on Monday, where he also said that he would quit politics after failing to resurrect the party.
     “I have fought for what I believe in, but it is not always enough, even though I have given everything I have in me. And sometimes more than that. My person shadows the Liberal Party’s results in the government. And my person shadows the fact that the Liberals can move forward again. That is why I am taking the consequences now and stepping down as chairman of the Liberal Party,” he said. He will be leaving Parliament and delegating his mandate to a substitute.
     Deputy chairman and chairman of the Region of Southern Denmark, Stephanie Lose, will take over the organisational work in the party in the run-up to the national meeting in November. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen will take over the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the time being. It remains to be seen who will take over as chairman after Ellemann-Jensen. But this is expected to be decided at the national Congress in Herning on 18 November.
     A few months ago, Jakob Ellemann-Jensen returned to politics after a period of illness of about six months due to stress. Troels Lund Poulsen and Stephanie Lose replaced the chairman during his absence. Jakob Ellemann-Jensen went to the Queen to officially hand over his posts on Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release. Troels Lund Poulsen will be appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister for Defence. /ritzau/