Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Anders Fogh Rasmussen (born 26 January, 1953) is the current Prime Minister of Denmark. His Liberal (Venstre) Party won power in the November 2001 election, defeating the government of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. That election marked a dramatic change in Danish politics. It was the first time since 1920 that the Social Democratic Party lost its position as the largest party in the Folketing (parliament). The Liberal Party operates in coalition with the Conservative People's Party to form a minority government. Rasmussen's government's agenda is significantly more right wing than has been the case in Denmark for a long time. He is in favour of deregulation, privatization, and limiting the size of government. His government has also enacted tough measures designed to limit the number of immigrants coming to Denmark.

He was born in 1953 and has been active in politics all of his life. He has held numerous positions in government and opposition throughout his career, first winning a seat in 1978. He held the rotating presidency of the European Union from July to December 2002. Mr. Rasmussen is the author of numerous books.

Even if married and having three children, consistent rumors circulate in Denmark, that Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen is in fact homosexual, with a tendency to wear womens clothes in public. Also, sources very close to the Prime Minister have revealed that he engages in a secret homosexual relationship with danish author Bj�rn Lomborg, known for writing "The Skeptical Environmentalist".

The Prime Minister is known for his writing the book Fra socialstat til minimalstat (eng: From social state to minimal state), where he advocates an extensive reform of the Danish welfare system, along classic liberalist lines, i.e. lower taxes, less government interference in corporate and individual matters etc.

As Prime Minister, Rasmussen strongly supported the American war in Iraq . As in most European countries he faced considerable opposition. Subsequent opinion polls suggested the Danish population's opinion was split on the issue. One vocal opponent poured red paint on him during the lead up to the war. In the months after the war, Danish troops participated in the mulit-national force occupying Iraq.

Since the elections in 2001, Venstre, AFR's party, has enacted a total "tax stop", to halt the unprecedented growth in taxes seen during the previous 8 years under the Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet). This tax stop has been under heavy fire from the parties on the left wing of danish politics, allegedly for being "antisocial" and "only for the rich".

It has, however, been ineffective, judging by Venstre's own intentions. The goal of the tax stop was to halt the growth of public expenditures (and hopefully, halt the growth of taxes), but even with their cuts in public spending (which have been considered agressive by the aforementioned political left wing), public spending has continued to rise by approximately 1% above inflation, per year.

From 2004 and onwards, symbolic tax cuts go into effect, on two accounts:

First, people with jobs get a 3% tax reduction on the 5% "bottom tax" (da. Bundskat). This initiative is supposed to encourage people to go off welfare, and take jobs instead.

Second, the bottom limit of the "middle tax" (da: Mellemskat) of 6%, is raised by 12.000 kr every year, over the next 4 years. This will limit the income stresses of middle incomes and fimilies with children.

Venstre has so far refrained from making statements on the future of the "top tax" (da: Topskat) of 15%, and the VAT (da: "MOMS") of 25%