Jens Otto Krag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jens Otto Krag
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Krag in the 1960s
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| 18th Prime Minister of Denmark | |
| In office 11 October 1971 – 5 October 1972 |
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| Monarch | Frederick IX Margrethe II |
| Preceded by | Hilmar Baunsgaard |
| Succeeded by | Anker Jørgensen |
| In office 3 September 1962 – 2 February 1968 |
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| Monarch | Frederick IX |
| Preceded by | Viggo Kampmann |
| Succeeded by | Hilmar Baunsgaard |
| Leader of the Social Democrats | |
| In office 1962–1972 |
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| Preceded by | Viggo Kampmann |
| Succeeded by | Anker Jørgensen |
| Minister of Industry, Commerce and Seafare | |
| In office 13 November 1947 – 16 September 1950 |
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| Prime Minister | Hans Hedtoft |
| Preceded by | Axel Kristensen |
| Succeeded by | H. C. Hansen |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 28 November 1966 – 1 October 1967 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Per Hækkerup |
| Succeeded by | Hans Tabor |
| In office 8 October 1958 – 3 September 1962 |
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| Prime Minister | H. C. Hansen Viggo Kampmann |
| Preceded by | H. C. Hansen |
| Succeeded by | Per Hækkerup |
| Minister without Portfolio | |
| In office 30 September 1953 – 31 October 1953 |
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| Prime Minister | Hans Hedtoft |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister of Economy and Work | |
| In office 31 October 1953 – 28 May 1957 |
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| Prime Minister | Hans Hedtoft H. C. Hansen |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister for Foreign Financial Affairs | |
| In office 8 October 1958 – 3 September 1962 |
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| Prime Minister | H. C. Hansen Viggo Kampmann |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| President of the Nordic Council | |
| In office 1 January 1971 – 31 December 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Sigurður Bjarnason |
| Succeeded by | V. J. Sukselainen |
| Member of the Folketing | |
| In office 1947–1950 |
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| In office 1953–1973 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1914 Randers, Denmark |
| Died | 22 June 1978 (aged 63) Skiveren, Denmark |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Spouses |
Helle Virkner
(m. 1959; div. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Copenhagen |
Jens Otto Krag (Danish pronunciation: [ˈjens ˈʌtsʰo ˈkʰʁɑˀw]; 15 September 1914 – 22 June 1978) was an important Danish politician. He served as Prime Minister of Denmark twice, from 1962 to 1968 and again from 1971 to 1972. He also led the Social Democrats political party from 1962 to 1972. In 1971, he was the president of the Nordic Council.
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Early Life and Education
Jens Otto Krag was born in Randers, Jutland, Denmark, on 15 September 1914. His family didn't have much money, as his father was a tobacconist. He went to the local high school, known as a gymnasium.
As a teenager, Krag joined the Social Democratic Youth of Denmark, which was the youth group of the Social Democratic Party. In 1933, he started studying economics at the University of Copenhagen. During this time, he became a journalist and teacher for groups that supported workers. He also met important leaders from the Social Democrats and worker unions.
He finished his degree in 1940, the same year that Nazi Germany invaded Denmark. During the German occupation, Krag worked for the Danish government. He became a key advisor on money matters for the workers' movement. He was also mentored by Hans Hedtoft, who later became prime minister.
Political Career Highlights
In 1944, Krag started his political journey. He helped lead a committee for the Social Democratic Party. This committee was preparing the party for politics after World War II.
Under his guidance, the committee created a new plan for the party called "Denmark of the Future" (Fremtidens Danmark). This plan suggested ideas like the government owning some businesses and using economic ideas to help the country. Even though the party didn't do well in the 1945 election, Krag and his new plan became well-known in Danish politics.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
Krag was elected to the Danish Parliament, called the Folketing, in 1947. He was then made Minister of Commerce. He supported making the Danish military stronger and Denmark joining NATO in 1949.
In 1950, Krag left Parliament for a short time. He wanted to improve his English and see more of the world. He got a job at the Danish embassy in the United States. He stayed there until 1953.
When he returned, he was re-elected to Parliament. He became a minister without a specific department. From 1953 to 1958, he was the minister for new foreign economic affairs. He then served as Foreign Minister from 1958 to 1962.
Serving as Prime Minister
In September 1962, Jens Otto Krag became the Prime Minister of Denmark. He also took over as the leader of the Danish Social Democratic Party from Viggo Kampmann. He was Prime Minister until February 1968, when his party lost power.
He became Prime Minister again in 1971 when his party won the election. During his first time as prime minister, a public vote was held in 1963. This vote rejected some land laws that Krag's government had already passed.
During his second time as Prime Minister, Krag worked hard for European cooperation. He supported a public vote for Denmark to join the European Economic Community. In 1972, the vote passed, and Denmark joined. However, the country was divided on this issue. Krag then resigned, saying he was tired of politics. His last public role was representing the European Common Market in the United States from 1974 to 1975.
Social Reforms Under Krag
During Krag's time as Prime Minister, several important social changes happened.
- In May 1964, a new law for children and young people was passed. It allowed local welfare groups to give money to families. This helped prevent children from being taken into care.
- New rules for day-care centers were also introduced. These rules focused on social, educational, and healing aspects. Cities had to provide day-care and other related services.
- In February 1967, a law about unemployment benefits was passed. Unemployment payments were increased and linked to wages. Waiting times for benefits were also removed.
- An accident insurance law in December 1964 also increased benefits.
- The Basic Education Act of April 1972 made basic schooling compulsory for 9 years instead of 7.
- A law in June 1972 created a new system for daily cash payments for sickness and maternity.
- In 1964, a new pension plan was started. Universal child allowances were also introduced in 1967.
Legacy and Impact
Many people in Denmark see Jens Otto Krag as one of the country's greatest politicians. He was involved in politics for 25 years. For most of that time, he held important government jobs.
He helped Denmark become more known on the world stage. He built strong relationships with other European leaders and American presidents like Kennedy and Johnson. He also had many political successes, including overseeing a long period of economic growth in Denmark.
His biggest achievement, and the one he was most proud of, was leading Denmark into the European Economic Community in 1973. After this task was done, he felt he could retire at a high point.
Krag was a unique politician. He was very charming but also quite private. He didn't enjoy being in the public eye. Some people found him a bit arrogant. According to his biographer, Bo Lidegaard, Krag never truly felt comfortable as a politician. He always thought he was on his way "to somewhere else." He had always dreamed of being the governor of the National Bank of Denmark. Only after he left politics in 1972 did he realize this goal wouldn't happen.
In the Danish TV series Krøniken (2004–2006), the actor Lars Mikkelsen played Jens Otto Krag.
Personal Life
Jens Otto Krag had a somewhat complicated private life. He was married twice. With his second wife, the famous actress Helle Virkner, he had a son named Jens Christian (born 1960) and a daughter named Astrid Helene "Søsser" (1962–2014). He died of heart failure in Skiveren, Denmark, at the age of 63.
Krag was an atheist, meaning he did not believe in God.
See also
In Spanish: Jens Otto Krag para niños
