Samira Nawa, a Danish lawmaker of Afghan descent and the daughter of an Afghan refugee family, was appointed Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and utilities as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen unveiled a new coalition government following March’s parliamentary election.
Nawa, a member of the center-left Social Liberal Party, joins the cabinet as Denmark seeks to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and meet ambitious climate targets.
The new government, formed after more than two months of coalition negotiations, brings together Frederiksen’s Social Democrats, the Social Liberal Party, the Socialist People’s Party and the Moderates.
Nawa, 38, has served in Denmark’s parliament since 2019 and has emerged as one of her party’s leading voices on climate, economic and labor issues. During this year’s election, she received the highest number of personal votes among Social Liberal Party candidates.
Before joining the government, she served as the party’s climate and energy spokesperson, advocating faster efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expand investment in green infrastructure.
Born in Aalborg to Afghan refugee parents, Nawa holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Copenhagen. She is among the most prominent European politicians with Afghan roots.
Her appointment comes as Denmark seeks to maintain its position as a leader in renewable energy development and emissions reduction.
Frederiksen’s new administration is also the first in Denmark’s history in which women hold a majority of cabinet positions, with women holding 11 of the government’s 21 ministerial posts.
As climate and energy minister, Nawa will oversee policies aimed at expanding renewable energy production, advancing Denmark’s green transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
