Danish politician Hans Christian Schmidt has announced that he will not seek re-election to the Folketing (the Danish Parliament) after the next election, marking the culmination of an impressive career spanning nearly 30 years. Elected in 1994, Schmidt has been a prominent figure at Christiansborg, where he currently serves as the spokesperson for rural districts, aviation, postal services, and elderly policy.
Hans Christian Schmidt, who will turn 71 years old on August 25, looks forward to spending more time with his family upon his retirement. “One must have time to find a successor,” he said in an interview with JydskeVestkysten, emphasizing the importance of identifying a new candidate to ensure continued representation of the Haderslev area in the Folketing.
Throughout his extensive political career, Schmidt has held several ministerial positions, including serving as Minister of the Environment in the early 2000s under Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s administration, as well as Minister of Food and Minister of Transport. However, Schmidt’s political journey began long before he was elected to the Folketing. He has a background as a teacher and has previously served as Deputy Principal, as well as holding a position on the municipal council of Vojens Municipality.
The local constituency in Haderslev is already looking for a new candidate to succeed Schmidt. He himself has stated that he will remain neutral during the selection process, while the constituency chairman encourages interested candidates to step forward.
Schmidt has received praise for his perseverance and dedication from fellow Member of Parliament Jesper Petersen (S), who is also elected in the Haderslev constituency. Petersen highlights their joint efforts for the region, particularly concerning traffic projects and issues related to the German minority in Denmark. “Hans has surely been a thorn in the side of his changing party leaders and the Prime Minister many times. He is truly stubborn and has his own opinions,” Petersen notes, emphasizing Schmidt’s ability to stand firm on his views.