Birthe Rønn Hornbech

Who is Birthe Rønn Hornbech?

Birthe Johanne Sparrevohn Rønn Hornbech is a Danish politician, member of the Folketing for Venstre, the liberal party, elected in the constituency of Køge, and former Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration and for Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Hornbech graduated as cand.jur. from the University of Copenhagen in 1971. After that, she worked as a clerk at the Police and in 1981 she was promoted to deputy police commissioner. She was first elected to the Folketing in 1984.

Hornbech is known for her pronounced views and has on numerous occasions disagreed with the leadership of her own party; for instance, she voted against an increase of public surveillance.

Following the 2007 election, she became minister, although having previously denied offers of such appointment on more than one occasion.

In 2010, Hornbech came under public scrutiny as the Minister of Integration, when it was discovered that young stateless Palestinians living in Denmark were being illegally denied Danish citizenship, with her knowledge.

On 8 March 2011, she was fired from her ministries because of the stateless Palestinians case.