Troels Lund Poulsen

Troels Lund Poulsen (born 30 March 1976) is a Danish politician who has served as leader of Venstre since November 2023. He has been a member of the Folketing since 2001 and has held several ministerial offices in Danish governments.

In November 2007 he joined the Rasmussen III Cabinet, as Minister for the Environment and later served as Minister for Taxation from 2010 to 2011, Minister of Education in 2011, Minister of Commerce, Business and Growth from 2015 to 2016, and Minister for Employment from 2016 to 2019.

He rejoined government in December 2022, serving in the Frederiksen II Cabinet. He was initially appointed Minister for Economic Affairs and later became Minister of Defence in August 2023. Poulsen additionally assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister in October 2023 and left in June 2026.

Early life Poulsen was born on 30 March 1976 in Vejle, as an only child to Aage Poulsen, a teacher, and Lise Poulsen. He grew up on a farm in Lindved and attended Lindved School from 1982 to 1992, later graduating from Tørring gymnasium in 1995.

Political career Poulsen joined Venstre’s youth wing, Venstres Ungdom (VU), in 1992. He served as chairman of the VU branch in Tørring-Uldum from 1993 to 1994, and the national chairman of VU from 1997 to 1999.

He was first elected to the Folketing in the 2001 Danish general election, representing the Juelsminde constituency, later renamed the Hedensted. He was re-elected in 2005 and subsequent elections.

From 2001 to 2006, Poulsen served as Venstre’s spokesperson on foreign affairs and gender equality. In September 2006, he became the party’s political spokesperson.

In November 2007 he joined the Rasmussen III Cabinet, as Minister for the Environment. In February 2010, he became Minister for Taxation. His tenure was marked by a major political controversy in 2011 involving leaked tax information concerning Stephen Kinnock, the husband of opposition leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Although Poulsen denied involvement in any leak or political interference, the case led to a formal inquiry.

On 8 March 2011, he was appointed Minister of Education, following Tina Nedergaard's resignation on the same day.

On 28 June 2015, he was appointed Minister of Business and Growth in the government of Lars Løkke Rasmussen II. On 28 November 2016, he was moved from here to the position of Minister of Employment.

He was appointed minister of economic affairs on 15 December 2022 when Mette Frederiksen presented her second cabinet. On 6 February 2023, he became acting minister of defence while Jakob Ellemann-Jensen was on leave. On 22 August 2023, the appointment became permanent. On 23 October 2023, he replaced Ellemann-Jensen as Deputy Prime Minister after his resignation as party leader of Venstre. He was elected leader of Venstre on 18 November 2023, with Stephanie Lose taking over as minister of economic affairs.

On 9 February 2024, he stated, "Denmark should speed up its military investments after new intelligence indicates that Russia is rearming faster than expected and that it could attack a NATO country within three to five years".

On 3 April 2024, he fired Chief of Defence Flemming Lentfer, saying that Lentfer had failed to keep him informed about weapons failures on board HDMS Iver Huitfeldt when it fought in Operation Prosperity Guardian during armed combat against Houthi militants.

In 2025, the Auditor general criticised him, and previous ministers, for inadequate security at 18 military bases.

Personal life Lund Poulsen was in a relationship with fellow Venstre politician Sophie Løhde from 2007 to 2013.

Foreign Honours Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland (2025) Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon (2024) Grand Cross of the Cross of Recognition (2025) Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (2024) 1st Class of the Order of Merit (2023)