Leif Pagrotsky
Encyclopedia
Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg
, is a Swedish
Social Democratic
politician
, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson
between 1996 and 2006.
and a Master of Science in economics
from Gothenburg University
. Before joining the Cabinet, Pagrotsky worked at the Central Bank of Sweden
and in the Ministry of Finance.
Pagrotsky lives in Saltsjö-Boo, in Nacka
in Stockholm County
. He has been very open about his angina pectoris, a condition stemming from insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. He has had heart surgery twice and has shared his experience in order to increase awareness about this condition.
Pagrotsky is 1.61 meters (5'3
because of his height.
In one episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart aired on April 22, 2009, Pagrotsky is interviewed by reporter Wyatt Cenac
on the subject of "Swedish socialism"
, as part of a satirical story on the impact that socialist reform has had on Swedish society. Pagrotsky is asked to apologize for "ushering in the socialism that tears at the souls of [his] countrymen", which Pagrotsky refuses to, defending the Swedish model by arguing that while Sweden has a big surplus in trade, the United States suffers from a deficit and has to borrow money from Sweden.
Göran Persson
made Pagrotsky Minister of Trade and in 2002 Minister for Industry and Trade.
He switched posts November 1, 2004 with former Minister of Education Thomas Östros
. At the same time, the responsibility for cultural matters, previously belonging to a separate ministry, was added to Pagrotsky’s portfolio.
In May 2010 he became an adviser to George Papandreou's government during the Greek sovereign debt crisis
.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, is a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Social Democratic
Swedish Social Democratic Party
The Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party, , contesting elections as 'the Workers' Party – the Social Democrats' , or sometimes referred to just as 'the Social Democrats' and most commonly as Sossarna ; is the oldest and largest political party in Sweden. The party was founded in 1889...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson
Göran Persson
Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as...
between 1996 and 2006.
Biography
Pagrotsky has a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
and a Master of Science in economics
Master of Economics
A Master's Degree in Economics is a postgraduate academic program, offering training in economic theory, econometrics and / or applied economics. The degree may be offered as a terminal degree or as additional preparation for doctoral study, and is sometimes offered as a professional degree...
from Gothenburg University
Gothenburg University
The University of Gothenburg is a university in Sweden's second largest city, Gothenburg.- Character :The University of Gothenburg is the third-oldest Swedish university, and with 24,900 full-time students it is also among the largest universities in the Nordic countries...
. Before joining the Cabinet, Pagrotsky worked at the Central Bank of Sweden
Sveriges Riksbank
Sveriges Riksbank, or simply Riksbanken, is the central bank of Sweden and the world's oldest central bank. It is sometimes called the Swedish National Bank or the Bank of Sweden .-History:...
and in the Ministry of Finance.
Pagrotsky lives in Saltsjö-Boo, in Nacka
Nacka Municipality
Nacka Municipality is a municipality in Stockholm County in east central Sweden. Its seat is located at Nacka. The municipality is situated just east of the capital Stockholm and the western parts are considered a suburban part of the Stockholm urban area.The present municipality was created in...
in Stockholm County
Stockholm County
Stockholm County is a county or län on the Baltic sea coast of Sweden. It borders Uppsala County and Södermanland County. It also borders Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. The city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden. Stockholm County is divided by the historic provinces of Uppland and Södermanland...
. He has been very open about his angina pectoris, a condition stemming from insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. He has had heart surgery twice and has shared his experience in order to increase awareness about this condition.
Pagrotsky is 1.61 meters (5'3
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
because of his height.
In one episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart aired on April 22, 2009, Pagrotsky is interviewed by reporter Wyatt Cenac
Wyatt Cenac
Wyatt Cenac is an American stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He is currently working as a correspondent and writer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.-Early years:...
on the subject of "Swedish socialism"
Nordic model
The Nordic model refers to the economic and social models of the Nordic countries . This particular adaptation of the mixed market economy is characterised by "universalist" welfare states , which are aimed specifically at enhancing individual autonomy, ensuring the universal provision of basic human...
, as part of a satirical story on the impact that socialist reform has had on Swedish society. Pagrotsky is asked to apologize for "ushering in the socialism that tears at the souls of [his] countrymen", which Pagrotsky refuses to, defending the Swedish model by arguing that while Sweden has a big surplus in trade, the United States suffers from a deficit and has to borrow money from Sweden.
Political career
In 1997 Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Sweden
The Prime Minister is the head of government in the Kingdom of Sweden. Before the creation of the office of a Prime Minister in 1876, Sweden did not have a head of government separate from its head of state, namely the King, in whom the executive authority was vested...
Göran Persson
Göran Persson
Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as...
made Pagrotsky Minister of Trade and in 2002 Minister for Industry and Trade.
He switched posts November 1, 2004 with former Minister of Education Thomas Östros
Thomas Östros
Thomas Östros is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Education from 1998 to 2004 and Minister for Industry and Trade from 2004 to 2006...
. At the same time, the responsibility for cultural matters, previously belonging to a separate ministry, was added to Pagrotsky’s portfolio.
In May 2010 he became an adviser to George Papandreou's government during the Greek sovereign debt crisis
2010 European sovereign debt crisis
From late 2009, fears of a sovereign debt crisis developed among investors concerning some European states, intensifying in early 2010 and thereafter.....
.
External links
- Pagrotsky on the Swedish economy, in conversation with Big Think.