Leif Pagrotsky

Leif Pagrotsky (born 20 October 1951 in Gothenburg) is a Swedish politician, economist, and diplomat. As of December 2015, he holds the position of Consul General of Sweden in New York City.[1][2]

Leif Pagrotsky in 2014.

Early life and education

Leif Pagrotsky grew up in the Björkekärr district of Gothenburg. In his youth, he worked as a docker. Pagrotsky graduated from the University of Gothenburg with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Economics.

Political career

Pagrotsky as Minister for Culture and Education in 2005.

Previously, he has held four cabinet-level ministerial positions in the government of Göran Persson from 1996 until 2006, including Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Culture and Education. Representing the Swedish Social Democratic Party, Leif Pagrotsky served as a Member of Parliament 2006–2012.[3]

In addition to being Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Culture and Education,[4] Leif Pagrotsky has held several high-ranking posts in the Swedish Government Offices, including State Secretary for Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Vice Chair of the Council of Riksbanken, Sweden's central bank.[5] He has served as Economic Advisor to the Prime 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 the European Monetary Union and adopting the Euro, 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 the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He was Chairman of the Swedish Trade and Invest Council Business 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 the EU, OECD, WTO, UNCTAD, UNESCO and ASEM (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 the National Theatre of Norway and the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM).[9]

Diplomatic career

Since 17 December 2015, Pagrotsky is Consul General of Sweden in New York City. At this position, he focuses on the promotion of Sweden in a broad sense, including trade and investment, cultural and consular affairs.[9]

Media

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 on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and a segment called “The Stockholm Syndrome.”

Personal life

Pagrotsky is a Jew, and has been faced with threats because of this.[10]

References

1. "The Consul General | SwedenAbroad". www.swedenabroad.com. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
2. "Ny generalkonsul i New York" [New Consul-General in New York] (in Swedish). Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
3. Riksdagsförvaltningen. "Ledamot". www.riksdagen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2017-05-23.
4. Nilsson, Jan-Erik. "Preface by Leif Pagrotsky, Minister for Education, Research and Culture, The Kingdom of Sweden". www.gotheborg.com. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
5. Riksbanken. "Ny vice riksbankschef – Karolina Ekholm". www.riksbank.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2017-05-23.
6. Evans-Pritchard, Ambrose (14 September 2003). "Sweden votes against joining the euro" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
7. "Leif Pagrotsky tar över Business Region Göteborg | Dagens Opinion". www.dagensopinion.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2017-05-23.
8. Regeringskansliet, Regeringen och (2015-06-17). "Leif Pagrotsky ny ordförande för Business Sweden". Regeringskansliet (in Swedish). Retrieved 2017-05-23.
9. "Öppnandet av svenska generalkonsulatet i New York". Svenskar i Världen. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
10. https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article10692894.ab Aftonbladet, 31 Oktober 2005 (in Swedish), read 2017-10-26

External links

• Pagrotsky on the Swedish economy, in conversation with Big Think.