Margrete Auken
Denmark- Political Career
- Early Life and Education
- Danish Parliament
- European Parliament
- Committee Memberships
- Re-election and Recognition
- Personal Life
Political Career
Margrete Auken is a Danish politician and theologian who has served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2004. A member of the Danish Socialist People's Party, which is part of the European Green Party, Auken has pursued a career in both politics and religion.
Early Life and Education
Auken received her education at the University of Copenhagen. In addition to her political career, she has served as a parish priest (sognpræst) at Frederiksberg Church, which belongs to the Church of Denmark.
Danish Parliament
Auken's parliamentary experience includes serving as a member of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) from October 1979 to December 1990 and again from September 1994 to June 2004.
European Parliament
When elected as the Socialist People's Party's sole candidate to the European Parliament in 2004, Auken caused controversy within her party when she chose to join the Greens/European Free Alliance group rather than the European United Left/Nordic Green Left group without their approval. In the European Parliament, Auken has served on various committees, including the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, the Committee on Transport and Tourism, and the Committee on Development.
Committee Memberships
Beyond her committee duties, Auken is a member of the Delegation for Relations with Palestine, the European Parliament Intergroup on Animal Welfare and Conservation, and the European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.
Re-election and Recognition
Auken was re-elected to the European Parliament in 2019. Her brother, Sven Auken, is also a Danish politician who served as Minister of the Environment in Helle Thorning-Schmidt's first cabinet.
Personal Life
Margrete Auken is the mother of three children. Her daughter, Ida Auken, is also a priest and politician, although she has been a member of the Danish Social Liberal Party since 2014, unlike her mother.
