Poul Nyrup Rasmussen was a troublemaker in first grade, but then teacher Irma Rasmussen entered the picture. It’s about being captivated by someone who sees you, says Nyrup today.

Former prime minister was a troublemaker in school: »Suddenly in third grade, we got a clever teacher, and she just saw me«

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, 82, chairs this year's EuroSkills in Herning, where 600 young skilled workers from across Europe will compete in their trades. He believes it is a significant mistake for society to separate manual labor from intellectual work. Foto: Peter Maunsbach
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, 82, chairs this year's EuroSkills in Herning, where 600 young skilled workers from across Europe will compete in their trades. He believes it is a significant mistake for society to separate manual labor from intellectual work. Foto: Peter Maunsbach
Listen to the article

»I was completely, insanely anxious. All the time«.

That’s how Poul Nyrup Rasmussen remembers the beginning of his school days in Esbjerg, where few would have guessed that the working-class boy from the harbor, who often started fights during lunch breaks, would one day become Denmark’s prime minister.

Want to keep reading?

Politiken Edition is a curated collection of articles written by our journalists and translated into English. Stay informed on the news – through a Danish lens.

Subscribe now
Already a subscriber? Sign in
Briller

Most read

    1

  1. Uber challenges Wolt: Restaurants are delighted at the prospect of competition

    2. 2

  2. Top 30: Who is the biggest star in the history of Danish sports?

    3. 3

  3. Woman behind the much-hyped bakery on her favorite place: »It’ll always be my go-to spot«

    4. 4

  4. I’ve finally found a café that doesn’t feel like an office space

    5. 5

  5. Mother of murdered woman criticizes new Netflix documentary

    6. 6

  6. If you like shelters, this may be the news you’ve been waiting for

© All material on this page is subject to the applicable copyright law.Read policy