Christine Edda Antorini (born 23 May 1965) is a Danish politician for the Social Democrats, formerly for the Socialist People's Party. From 2011 to 2015 she was the Minister of Education in the Cabinet of Helle Thorning-Schmidt. She was a member of the Folketing from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2005 to 2018.[1]

Christine Antorini
Antorini in 2017
Minister of Education
In office
3 October 2011 – 28 June 2015
Prime MinisterHelle Thorning-Schmidt
Preceded byTroels Lund Poulsen
Succeeded byEllen Trane Nørby
Member of the Folketing
In office
8 February 2005 – 5 September 2018
ConstituencyNorth Zealand (2011–2018)
Copenhagen (2007–2011)
Søndre (2005–2007)
In office
18 March 1998 – 30 November 1999
ConstituencyØstre
Personal details
Born (1965-05-23) 23 May 1965 (age 59)
Jyllinge, Denmark
Political partySocial Democrats (2002–present)
Other political
affiliations
Socialist People's Party (1981–2001)
Spouse(s)
(m. 2003; div. 2008)

Jan Krøyer
(m. 2020)
Alma materAarhus University
Roskilde University

Background

edit

Antorini was born in Jyllinge, near Copenhagen, where her mother was a teacher and her father a dairyman. Her mother was of Swiss Italian descent and Antorini was brought up in the Catholic faith.[2][3]

She studied political science at Aarhus University 1985-1987 and public administration at Roskilde University 1989-1994, obtaining a Candidate degree. She headed the secretariat of an independent office for consumer information 1999-2003, was anchorwoman in Danish Radio 2003-2004 and worked for the Union of Commercial and Clerical Employees, part of Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, 2004-2005.[3]

After leaving politics, from 2018 to 2023 she was manager of LIFE Fonden, a foundation that promotes the knowledge of natural sciences and technology among children. From 2023, she enrolled in the study to become a nurse.[4]

Political career

edit

Antorini was a member of the executive board of the Youth of the Socialist People's Party became a member of the executive board for the Socialist People's Party in 1988. In 1991, she became deputy leader for the party, a position she held to 1998. From 1998 to 1999 she was a member of the Folketing for the Socialist People's Party from Eastern Copenhagen electoral district.[3]

She was elected again to the Folketing in the general election, 2005, this time representing the Social Democrats and subsequently re-elected in the 2007 election and the 2011 election. She was among other things the Social Democrats' spokesperson on education. The 2011 election brought the Social Democrats to power in a coalition cabinet led by Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Antorini was named Minister of Children and Education 3 October 2011, with the inclusion of children in the Minister of Education's portfolio being a novelty. In a cabinet reshuffle on 9 August 2013, the position was again called Minister of Education. She has been a member of a number of committees, boards and think-thanks; several related to education and science.[3]

Christine Antorini was one of two Danish nominees for EU Commissioner in August 2014.[5]

Personal life

edit

Antorini is twice divorced. She has two children from her first marriage. Her second marriage was to sociologist Henrik Dahl.[1][2]

Bibliography

edit
  • Borgerlige ord efter revolutionen (co-author), Gyldendal, 1999
  • Det ny systemskifte (co-author), Gyldendal, 2001
  • Fanatisme eller Idealisme, Forum, 2003,
  • Epostler (co-author), Gyldendal, 2003
  • Fremtidens partier, Gyldendal, 2008.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Christine Antorini". Denstoredanske.lex.dk. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Det religiøse er højpotent". Kristeligt-dagblad.dk. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Christine Antorini (S)". Ft.dk. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Christine Antorini stopper som fondsdirektør: Vil være sygeplejerske". Altinget. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Denmark: two names floated for European Commission". Politico.eu. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
edit
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Education
2011–2015
Succeeded by