Minister of Cities, Rural Areas, and Transport Signe Munk of the Green Left (Socialistisk Folkeparti) has resigned from her ministerial post.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, she writes that she is resigning due to stress. She is also taking sick leave from the work in the Folketing.
She will be replaced in her ministerial post by political veteran Karina Lorentzen Dehnhardt from the same party.
“A better balance in life”
In her post on Facebook, Munk writes that “I still have a lot that I want to achieve. Many political ideas that can create more balance in Denmark and make our country greener and fairer. But the balance in my own life disappeared.”
She goes on to add that “Although it is difficult, it is the right decision to stop as minister and hand the task over to another capable politician. Right now I need peace and quiet to find the balance and become completely well.”
The post concludes with “This is not a goodbye to politics, but a step forward towards finding a better balance in life.”
Stress in Danish politics
Over the past years, Danish politicians have started speaking more openly about stress and dealing with it.
Leader of Liberal Alliance Alex Vanopslagh and now-Minister of Children, Elderly, and Housing Jacob Mark, also of the Green Left, have both spoken openly about their struggles with it.
Previously, other ministers have also suffered from stress and taken sick leave from their ministerial duties. These include Simon Kollerup of the Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet) and Jakob Ellemann-Jensen of Venstre.
Replaced by a veteran politician
Signe Munk will now be replaced later in the day by Karina Lorentzen Dehnhardt, a veteran of Danish politics, who has served in the Folketing for almost 15 years.
The traditional ministry handover ceremony will be skipped, according to a statement released by the prime minister’s office.
The new minister will, however, be presented to the King at 14:45 on Tuesday, as is part of the process for bringing on new ministers.
“A little sad today”
In a comment to Munk’s Facebook post, her party leader, Pia Olsen Dyhr, wrote that “Besides being skilled and sharp, you are a person I care for immensely, so I am a little sad today. Get well soon.”
In an Instagram post, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of the Social Democrats also reflected on Munk’s departure, writing, “Signe is a skilled politician, an incredibly likeable person and a very decent colleague. Unfortunately her health couldn’t keep up. It can happen to anyone.”
A difficult time
In her time as minister, Munk has struggled with a series of transport-related issues.
In the summer, delayed construction at both ends of the country led to chaotic scenes across the country, scenes that repeated themselves earlier this month due to issues on west Funen.
Munk’s political responsibility also took a difficult turn last week, when security increases at Copenhagen Airport led to long queues and many missed flights.
During her time, Munk and her ministry have also worked on preparing to deliver one of the government’s key promises: free public transport for under 22-year-olds.
