Pia Kj\u00e6rsgaard, the powerful and charismatic leader of the Danish People\u2019s Party (DPP – Dansk Folkeparti), has decided to step down after seventeen years at the top, report media. <\/p>\n
She is one of the most recognised Danish politicians, probably the most hated, or loved, person in Denmark. <\/p>\n
Analysts say that her and the DPP\u2019s stringent anti-immigrant tone during the ten years of the previous government helped to strengthen Denmark\u2019s image as a xenophobic country, and foreign reporters have called her ‘the thorn in Denmark’s rose garden’.<\/p>\n
She has nominated deputy leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl as her successor. <\/p>\n
Her departure had been carefully planned since the New Year but only her inner circle was kept aware of the decision, she said to b.dk:<\/p>\n
\u00bbI\u2019ve experienced many occasions where a party leader has been forced out or made to quit after a poor election campaign so I was determined that I wouldn\u2019t suffer the same fate\u00ab.<\/p>\n
She stressed that voters haven\u2019t seen the last of her, to media Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The 65-year-old politician will continue in a new role as DPP\u2019s \u2018values spokesperson\u2019 and intends to run again at the next election.<\/p>\n
After attacks by mobs, and death threats, she was one of the first Danish politicians forced to live under constant police protection.<\/p>\n
miy@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n