Jakob Axel Nielsen

Who is Jakob Axel Nielsen?

Jakob Axel Nielsen is a Danish lawyer and politician representing the Conservative People's Party. He has been a member of the Folketing since the 2005 election and was Minister of Traffic and of Energy in the Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen II from 12 September 2007 to 23 November 2007, and Minister for Health and Prevention from 23 November 2007 to 23 February 2010 in the Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen III and in the Cabinet of Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Before he was appointed minister, he was his party's spokesman on tax policy.

Nielsen was born in Terndrup and grew up in the region of Himmerland. His father and grandfather were also lawyers whilst his mother was a teacher. He graduated from the Gymnasium in Hobro and was educated in law at the University of Aarhus; he worked as a lawyer from 1994 until 2005 when he was elected to the Folketing.

His grandfather, Knud Axel Nielsen, also a lawyer, was a member of the Folketing for the Social Democratic party 1953-1973 and served as Justice Minister 1964-1968 and 1971-1973.