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Kuupik KleistGreenlandic left-wing and social democratic politician
Date of Birth: 31.03.1958
Country:  Greenland |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Kuupik Kleist, a prominent Greenlandic politician of left-wing and social democratic leanings, was born in the now-abandoned village of Kullissat in 1958. The son of a Danish worker and an Iñuit woman, Kleist spent his early years with foster parents. After graduating from primary school in Kullissat in 1972 and secondary school in Sisimiut in 1975, he continued his education in Denmark at Birkerød School despite his limited knowledge of Danish. He eventually earned a degree in social sciences from Roskilde University in 1983.
Career in Journalism and Politics
Upon returning to Greenland, Kleist worked as a journalist in Nuuk from 1988 to 1991. In 1995, he became the head of the Greenland government's Foreign Service. From 2001 to 2007, Kleist served as one of Greenland's two representatives in the Danish parliament, joining the left-wing nationalist party Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) advocating for full autonomy for Greenland from Denmark. He was elected the leader of the party in 2007.
Premiership
In the 2009 parliamentary elections, IA won 14 out of 31 seats, forming a coalition government with the Democrats party. Kleist was appointed the new Prime Minister, a position he held until 2013.
