Troels Lund Poulsen: Danish Minister of Defence
Troels Lund Poulsen, born on March 30, 1976, in Vejle, Denmark, is a prominent Danish politician and the current Minister of Defence, Deputy Prime Minister, and Leader of the Liberal Party (Venstre). A veteran of Danish politics, Poulsen has held numerous ministerial roles across multiple governments and is known for his pragmatic leadership and deep experience in public administration.
Poulsen began his political career in Venstres Ungdom (the Liberal Youth of Denmark), eventually serving as its national chairman from 1997 to 1999. He was first elected to the Folketing (Danish Parliament) in 2001 and has represented the Hedensted constituency since 2007.
Over the years, Poulsen has held a wide range of ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for the Environment (2007–2010)
- Minister for Taxation (2010–2011)
- Minister of Education (2011)
- Minister for Business and Growth (2015–2016)
- Minister for Employment (2016–2019)
- Minister for Economic Affairs (2022–2023)
He was appointed Minister of Defence in August 2023, after serving as acting minister earlier that year. In this role, Poulsen has overseen a significant expansion of Denmark’s defense posture, including increased defense spending, deeper Nordic cooperation, and the re-establishment of national ammunition production in partnership with Nammo.
In November 2023, Poulsen was elected Leader of Venstre, succeeding Jakob Ellemann-Jensen. He has since emerged as a central figure in Danish politics, balancing his party leadership with key responsibilities in national security.
Known for his strategic mindset and steady leadership, Troels Lund Poulsen continues to shape Denmark’s defense and foreign policy at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and the North Atlantic.
