# Søren Espersen

# Søren Espersen

Søren Espersen (born 20 July 1953 in Svenstrup, Himmerland) is a Danish politician, journalist, and author who served as a member of the Folketing (the [Danish parliament](/organizations/danish-parliament)) from 8 February 2005 until early 2026. He represented the [Danish People's Party](/organizations/danish-people-s-party) until August 2022, briefly sat as an independent, then switched to the [Denmark Democrats](/organizations/denmark-democrats) and was re-elected for them in the 1 November 2022 election, representing the South Jutland greater constituency until the end of his term. He announced in 2024 that he would not seek re-election and ended his political career in 2026.

Espersen worked as a journalist before entering politics full-time and has authored books on historical and political topics. His political work focused on foreign policy, Danish identity, immigration issues, and relations with countries including Germany and Israel.

## Early life and education

### Birth and family background

Søren Espersen was born on 20 July 1953 in Svenstrup, Himmerland, Denmark.

He is the son of headmaster Peder Christian Espersen (1906–1995) and Inger Espersen (née Lund; 1915–2004).

Espersen has been married since 17 October 1981 to Yvette Kim Fay Espersen (born 2 April 1956 in Chelsea, England).

Among his five children is Susie Jessen, who also serves as a member of the Folketing for the Denmark Democrats.

### Education and military service

Søren Espersen completed his upper secondary education at Hasseris Gymnasium, earning his studentereksamen (equivalent to A-levels) in 1973.

He subsequently fulfilled his mandatory national service in the Royal Danish Navy from 1973 to 1974.

Espersen then studied theology at the University of Copenhagen from 1974 to 1976.

He completed his formal training in journalism by graduating from Denmark's School of Journalism in Aarhus in 1980, having attended from 1976 to 1980.

## Journalism career

### Early journalism roles

Søren Espersen began his journalism career in 1980, shortly after graduating from Denmark's School of Journalism. His first professional role was as a journalist at the local newspaper Dagbladet in Ringsted.

Later in 1980, he joined the major tabloid newspaper *B.T.*, where he worked as a journalist and regional editor until 1989 (or 1988 according to some records).

From 1989 to 1992, Espersen worked as a freelance journalist based in London.

He then returned to Denmark and served as a journalist at the celebrity and entertainment magazine *Billed-Bladet* from 1992 to 1996.

### Press and information work for political parties

Søren Espersen served as Head of Press and Information for the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) from 1997 to 2005, where he managed the party's press relations, public communications, and information dissemination.

During the same period, he was the responsible editor (ansvarshavende redaktør) of the party's official magazine, *Dansk Folkeblad*, overseeing its editorial content and production as the chief editor.

These roles represented his primary engagement in party-affiliated press and information work, focused on promoting the Danish People's Party's messaging through media channels and its internal publication.

## Political career

### Early political involvement

Søren Espersen's early political involvement began in the early 1990s with the [Progress Party](/organizations/progress-party) (Fremskridtspartiet), where he served as a candidate in the Præstø constituency from 1992 to 1995. He was also a candidate for the [European Parliament](/organizations/european-parliament) for the party in 1994.

Following the formation of the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) in 1995 by former Progress Party members, Espersen joined the new party and quickly took on leadership roles. He served as Chairman of the Danish People's Party in Copenhagen from 1997 to 2000.

In 2001, Espersen was appointed Campaign Director for the Danish People's Party, a position he held as the party prepared for subsequent elections. He was elected to the Folketing in 2005 as a representative for the Danish People's Party.

### Danish People's Party tenure

Søren Espersen was elected to the Folketing as a representative of the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) in the general election on 8 February 2005, initially representing a Copenhagen-area constituency. He was subsequently re-elected in the general elections of 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019, serving continuously as a member of parliament for the party until 2022 and representing constituencies in the Greater Copenhagen and Zealand areas over time.

During his tenure with the Danish People's Party, Espersen held several key leadership roles within the party organization and parliamentary group. He served as group secretary for the party's parliamentary group from 2006 to 2012 and was a member of the party's board of directors from 2006 onward. In parliament, he was Deputy Speaker of the Folketing from 2007 to 2012. From 2012, he held the position of deputy chairman of the Danish People's Party.

Espersen was also the party's [foreign affairs](/organizations/foreign-affairs) spokesperson during much of his time in the Folketing, where he represented the party's positions on international matters. He left the Danish People's Party in June 2022 after 27 years of membership.

### Switch to Denmark Democrats

In June 2022, Søren Espersen left the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) after 27 years of membership, citing internal disagreements within the party. He initially continued his parliamentary service as an independent member.

On 17 August 2022, Denmark Democrats leader Inger Støjberg announced Espersen as a candidate for the party ahead of the upcoming general election.

Espersen was elected to the Folketing in the Danish general election on 1 November 2022, representing the Denmark Democrats in the South Jutland greater constituency (Sydjyllands Storkreds), with his mandate effective from 1 November 2022. He has continued to serve as a member of parliament under this affiliation.

### Parliamentary roles and committee work

Søren Espersen has been a member of the Folketing since 8 February 2005.

Over the course of his parliamentary career, he has participated in a range of committees and held leadership positions focused on foreign policy, defence, church affairs, and relations with Denmark's autonomous territories and minority groups.

He served as chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee (Udenrigspolitisk Nævn) from 2015 to 2019.

He was also a member of the Presidium of the Folketing from 2007 to 2012.

Espersen has been a member of the Greenland Committee (Grønlandsudvalget) in multiple periods and has engaged with related issues in that capacity.

He was a member of the Defence Commission from 2007 to 2009.

He serves as chairman of the Church Committee (Kirkeudvalget) since 2023 (term 2023-2026).

He is also a member of the Faroe Islands Committee (Færøudvalget), the Culture Committee (Kulturudvalget), and the Committee for the German Minority (Udvalget for Det Tyske Mindretal).

## Political positions

### Foreign policy and international affairs

**Søren Espersen** has long been active in Danish foreign policy, serving as the foreign affairs spokesperson (*udenrigsordfører*) for the Danish People's Party for many years and as chairman of the Folketing's Foreign Policy Committee (*Udenrigspolitisk Nævn*) from 2015 to 2019. He has also been a member of the Foreign Policy Committee in various periods.

In 2017, while serving as deputy chairman of the Danish People's Party, Espersen sparked controversy by stating in a television interview that he hoped and dreamed of a Denmark extending to the Eider River, implying the return of South Schleswig (now part of Germany) to Danish territory. He remarked, "We would like a Denmark stretching to the Eider," and described it as both a hope and a dream, referencing the historical Danish claims before the 1864 war and the 1920 border plebiscite. Espersen later clarified that he spoke "with a twinkle in my eye" and did not expect any serious territorial conflict, emphasizing strong existing border cooperation between Denmark and Germany. The [Danish government](/organizations/danish-government) explicitly distanced itself from the statement, with the foreign minister stating it was not official Danish policy. The South Schleswig Electoral Association (SSW), representing the Danish minority in Germany, criticized the remarks as populist, unrealistic, and a risk to decades of peaceful border relations.

Espersen is a known supporter of Israel and has been active in promoting Danish-Israeli relations. In 2009, he received the [Raoul Wallenberg](/people/raoul-wallenberg) Medal from the Raoul Wallenberg Society of Denmark for his long-standing engagement on behalf of the Jewish people and Israel. He served on the board of the Raoul Wallenberg Association from 2003 to 2015. His 2007 book, *Israels selvstændighedskrig - og de danske frivillige* (Israel's War of Independence - and the Danish Volunteers), further reflects his interest in Israeli history.

### Domestic and cultural views

Søren Espersen has consistently advocated strict immigration policies, viewing large-scale immigration—particularly from Muslim-majority countries—as posing risks to Danish society, security, and cultural cohesion. In 2016, while serving as deputy leader of the Danish People's Party, he proposed a temporary halt (four to six years) to refugees and immigrants from Muslim countries, arguing that a "respite" was necessary following European terrorist attacks to assess threats rooted in Muslim communities. He stated that the majority of terrorism in the West originates from these communities and that Denmark needed time to gain an overview of future measures, while clarifying that the proposal did not imply all Muslims are terrorists.

Espersen has attributed poor integration outcomes primarily to immigrants themselves, asserting that newcomers bear responsibility for adopting Danish norms and values. In 2015, he remarked that inadequate integration is solely the fault of immigrants, reflecting a broader emphasis on assimilation to preserve Danish cultural identity.

His positions align with longstanding Danish People's Party priorities on limiting immigration to safeguard national values, though he has rejected overly broad discrimination claims, framing restrictions as responses to specific security concerns rather than blanket religious bias. These views continued to shape his public stances during his tenure with the party until 2022.

## Publications

### Authored books

Søren Espersen has authored two books focusing on historical figures and events.

His first book, *Valdemar Rørdam: Nationalskjald og Landsforræder* (Valdemar Rørdam: National Bard and Traitor), was published in 2003 by Lysias. The 223-page work examines the life of Danish poet Valdemar Rørdam, portraying him as both a celebrated national figure and a controversial one accused of treason during his later years.

His second book, *Israels selvstændighedskrig – og de danske frivillige* (The Israeli War of Independence – and the Danish Volunteers), appeared in 2007 from Hovedland. Spanning 253 pages, it chronicles the experiences of approximately 46 young Danish volunteers who joined the Jewish forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (from late 1947 to 1949), centering on their personal stories and encounters amid the conflict.

### Co-authored and other works

Søren Espersen has co-authored political publications associated with the Danish People's Party and served in an editorial capacity for party media.

In 2001, he co-authored *Danmarks fremtid – dit land, dit valg* (The Future of Denmark – Your Country, Your Choice), a publication presenting the Danish People's Party's political program and views ahead of elections, credited alongside Kristian Thulesen Dahl, Ulla Dahlerup, Anders Skjødt, and others from the party's Folketing group.

He also co-authored *Exit Nyrup* (2001, published 2002), a collection analyzing the 2001 Folketing election, to which he contributed analysis of the incumbent government's campaign strategy.

From 1997 to 2005, Espersen served as the responsible editor (ansvarshavende redaktør) of *Dansk Folkeblad*, the official magazine of the Danish People's Party.

## Awards and recognition

### Notable honors

In May 2009, Søren Espersen was awarded the Raoul Wallenberg Medal by the Raoul Wallenberg Society of Denmark in recognition of his long-standing and engaged work supporting the Jewish people and Israel. The medal was presented to him on 26 May 2009 by Geoffrey Cain, president of the society.

### Organizational affiliations

Søren Espersen served as Vice-President of the Danish Raoul Wallenberg Society from 2003 to 2015.

In 2009, the society awarded him the Raoul Wallenberg Medal for his long-standing and engaged work on behalf of the Jewish people and Israel, presented by society president Geoffrey Cain at a ceremony in Christiansborg Castle.

## Dated facts

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## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/people/soren-espersen