Bundsgaard confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that he is resigning as mayor of Aarhus after 13 years and leaving politics, saying he had decided it is time for a career change.
The high-profile mayor’s resignation means that a year ahead of municipal elections, three of Denmark’s four largest cities have seen a recent resignation from a Social Democratic mayor.
“I have reached the end of my political journey. It has been an exceptional privilege to lead the city I was born in, grew up in, and have spent almost my entire life in,” Bundsgaard told media.
The outgoing mayor, who has been an elected city council member since 2002, said he will not be taking another job immediately.
“I plan to take some time to reflect on what I want to do next. This is a personal decision which I have made after careful consideration,” he said.
Bundsgaard’s resignation will take effect on November 6th after the next city council meeting.
The Social Democrats are yet to confirm who they will select as the new mayor, but deputy mayor Anders Winnerskjold, who is due to go on parental leave in December, is the favourite.
Bundsgaard dismissed suggestions he is stepping down because the Social Democrats are underperforming in polls or because his personal vote count was halved in the last municipal election.
“This is a personal choice, polls go up and down. After 25 years, I need to focus my energy on something else. I have served the city for more than two decades,” he said.
He also denied his decision to resign could be connected to a scandal or that he was pushed or encouraged to step down by the Social Democratic leadership.
“No. I informed the Prime Minister a few days ago, and it wasn't something we had discussed before that,” he said.
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