Leif Pagrotsky | |
|---|---|
 Pagrotsky in 2005. | |
| Consul General of Sweden in New York City | |
| In office 27 January 2016 – 1 October 2018 | |
| Preceded by | David E.R. Dangoor |
| Succeeded by | Annika Rembe |
| Minister of Culture | |
| In office 1 November 2004 – 6 October 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Göran Persson |
| Preceded by | Marita Ulvskog |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Stegö Chilò |
| Minister for Industry, Employment and Communications | |
| In office 21 October 2002 – 21 October 2004 | |
| Prime Minister | Göran Persson |
| Preceded by | Björn Rosengren |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Östros |
| Member of the Riksdag | |
| In office 30 September 2002 – 2012 | |
| Constituency | Gothenburg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1951-10-20)20 October 1951 (age 73) Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Political party | Social Democratic |
| Spouse | Iskra Crisci Saavedra |
| Children | Sonja |
| Alma mater | University of Gothenburg |
| Occupation | Politician, Diplomat |
Leif Pagrotsky (born 20 October 1951 inGothenburg) is a Swedishpolitician,economist, anddiplomat. He served asminister of culture from 2004 to 2006 andminister for industry, employment and communications from 2002 to 2004 under Prime MinisterGöran Persson. After this, he held the position ofConsul General of Sweden in New York City from 2016 to 2018.[1][2]
Leif Pagrotsky grew up in theBjörkekärr district of Gothenburg. In his youth, he worked as adocker.Pagrotsky graduated from theUniversity of Gothenburg with aBachelor of Arts and aMaster of Science in Economics.
Previously, he has held four cabinet-level ministerial positions in the government ofGöran Persson from 1996 until 2006, includingminister of trade,minister for industry, employment and communications,minister for culture andminister for education. Representing the Swedish Social Democratic Party, Leif Pagrotsky served as a Member of Parliament 2006–2012.[3]
In addition to being minister of trade, industry, employment and communications, culture and education,[4] Leif Pagrotsky has held several high-ranking posts in theSwedish Government Offices, includingState Secretary for Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Vice Chair of the Council ofRiksbanken, Sweden's central bank.[5] He has served as Economic Advisor to thePrime Minister, as well as Head of the Division for Financial and Fiscal Affairs in the Ministry of Finance. Prior to the referendum on Sweden joining theEuropean Monetary Union and adopting theEuro, Pagrotsky argued against, contrary to the Prime Minister and the majority of the Social Democratic Party leadership.[6]
Leif Pagrotsky also worked as an economist at Riksbanken and at theOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He was Chairman of the Swedish Trade and Invest CouncilBusiness Sweden, as well as Business Region Gothenburg.[7][8] His financial focus has been on the internal market,globalization,energy policy, and state-owned enterprises.
Leif Pagrotsky has represented Sweden in theEU,OECD,WTO,UNCTAD,UNESCO andASEM (ASEAN-EU).
In addition to Leif Pagrotsky's finance-related positions he has been an advocate for the arts. He has been a board member of theNational Theatre of Norway and theSwedish Performing Rights Society (STIM).[9]
From 17 December 2015 to 1 October 2018, Pagrotsky wasConsul General of Sweden in New York City. At this position, he focused on the promotion ofSweden in a broad sense, including trade and investment, cultural and consular affairs.[9] In 2018, Pagrotsky announced permanent retirement from politics following a long and fulfilling political career.[10]
Leif Pagrotsky has been featured in both national and international press and media, he has also authored countless articles himself. One of his most recognized appearances was onThe Daily Show withJon Stewart and a segment called“The Stockholm Syndrome.”
Pagrotsky isJewish, and has been faced with threats because of this.[11]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of Trade 1997–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Industry, Employment and Communications 2002–2004 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Education 2004–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Culture 2004–2006 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by David E.R. Dangoor as Honorary consul general | Consul General of Sweden to New York City 2016–2018 | Succeeded by Annika Rembe |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
