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Danish Deputy Prime Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen announced his retirement from politics on Monday, just months after he returned from a six-month leave due to stress and overwork.
His resignation also means he is stepping down as the leader of the liberal Venstre party, which is part of Denmark’s ruling coalition.
“In short, I am leaving Danish politics for good today,” said Ellemann-Jensen, who also serves as the economy minister, during a press conference.
Venstre’s popularity has waned since it joined a coalition government led by Social Democrat Mette Frederiksen.
Ellemann-Jensen acknowledged that his personal image had overshadowed the party’s government performance and had become an obstacle to the party’s progress.
“As a result, I am taking responsibility and stepping down as chairman,” he stated.
At the start of August, Ellemann-Jensen, a member of parliament since 2011, returned from a six-month sabbatical that he had taken based on his doctor’s advice to alleviate stress and overwork.
Party colleague and defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen will assume his governmental responsibilities.
Venstre’s vice chairman, Stephanie Lose, will handle organizational tasks for the party until the election of a new party leader at the party’s annual conference in November.
