Copenhagen (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Denmark nominates Dan Jørgensen as European Union Commissioner.
Who Is Dan Jørgensen, Denmark’s Nominee for EU Commissioner?
Denmark has put forward Dan Jørgensen to be part of Ursula von der Leyen’s second team of EU commissioners, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen approved, just two days before the deadline for completing nominations.
The widely anticipated nomination of Jørgensen, a social democrat, was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle revealed by Frederiksen, including the creation of a fresh post of minister for the European Union ahead of Denmark’s Council of the EU presidency in the second half of 2025.
What Role Could Dan Jørgensen Play in the Next EU Commission?
“I am sure that he will be a good commissioner for Denmark and for Europe in an increasingly troubled world,” Frederiksen expressed, emphasising Jørgensen’s extensive knowledge. I have been in very close discussion with Ursula von der Leyen about what responsibility Denmark should take on in the upcoming commission … I expect Denmark to get a central portfolio,” Frederiksen stated at a press conference.
How Does Jørgensen’s Background Align with EU Priorities?
Dan Jørgensen is not fresh to Brussels, as he started his political profession in 2004 as a member of the European Parliament, a post he held until 2013. During those years, he was vice head of the environment committee, which led to his nomination in December 2013 as Denmark’s minister for food, agriculture, and fisheries under then-PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
In 2019 he rejoined the government under the leadership of Frederiksen, who nominated him as minister for climate and energy, a post he held until 2022. For the last two years, he has been at the helm of the ministry in charge of development partnerships and global climate policy.
Jørgensen’s background could catch him competing for an energy and climate portfolio with Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera, who is widely listed as leading the EU’s green agenda. Danish media also assume he could be given a portfolio dealing with international associations because of his time as development minister.
Denmark joins a long list of EU nations to have ignored von der Leyen’s proposal to submit two names, one male and one female, to assure gender balance. With Jørgensen, 17 men have been put forward, corresponded with six women, including von der Leyen herself.
