Torben Bisgaard

Torben Bisgaard
Bisgaard in 2021
23rd President of Ehoway
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 July 2016
Preceded by	Søren Krogh
32nd Deputy-President of Ehoway
In office 4 June 2014 – 19 July 2016
President	Søren Krogh
Preceded by	Ulf Steen
Succeeded by	Rebecca Wulff
President of VOHFOLK
In office 18 October 2010 – 12 January 2014
Preceded by	Søren Krogh
Succeeded by	Mikkel Ottosen
Member of the Lavereting
In office 31 May 1999 – 4 June 2014
Preceded by	Tommy Krog
Succeeded by	Viggo Petersen
Constituency	Højbakke-Ydre II
Personal details
Born	(1976-10-27) 27 October 1976 Højbakke, Ehoway
Political party	Progress Party (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	VOHFOLK (1998–2018) Liberal (1994-1997)
Spouse(s)	Jo Auger (m. 2005; died 2015)
Children	2
Education	University of Akavik (BA)
Website	bisgaardtorben.org.ew

Torben Bisgaard (born 27 October 1976), is an Ehowan politician who is serving as the 23rd President of Ehoway since 2016. Prior to this he was the 32nd Deputy-President of Ehoway between 2014 and 2016, he was also a member of the Lavereting from 1999 until 2014.

Born in Højbakke in the Sydbred municipality to a middle class family, Bisgaard graduated from the University of Akavik in 1994 before entering politics shortly afterwards. Bisgaard worked as an advisor to Anders Marcussen who was the leader of the Liberals in the Lavereting, Bisgaard later joined VOHFOLK and was elected to the Lavereting in 1999 representing the party. As a deputy in the Lavereting, Bisgaard promoted pro-business policies and was a keen supporter and friend of Søren Krogh. In 2010 Krogh appointed Bisgaard to succeed him as the President and de jure leader of VOHFOLK. Bisgaard clashed with some members of VOHFOLK who opposed his economically liberal policies and attempts to modernise the party, he became in charge for writing most of the party's doctrine which allowed him to grow his influence amongst party members. He controversially expanded the role of President of VOHFOLK and was seen by certain media figures as being the real power behind the government.

In 2014 he became Deputy-President of Ehoway during which time he became increasingly critical of Krogh's Presidency especially after the Redevelopment crash and the 2013-2016 Ehowan protests. From 2015 until 2016 Bisgaard assumed many powers of the Presidency after Krogh suffered a stroke which left him paralysed and wheelchair bound. In 2016 Bisgaard led a cabinet initiative to declare Krogh unable to rule which prompted his resignation as President shortly after, subsequently Bisgaard was sworn in as President. As President he pursued massive deregulation and privatisation efforts which sparked backlash from workers of state owned companies but ultimately were implemented. He was formally elected as President in 2018 although the result was disputed and foreign observers accused the government of massive voter fraud particularly in urban areas. He was re-elected in 2022 by an even larger margin although the primary opposition forces boycotted the election, the pro-government Ordinary Peoples' Coalition however lost it's 2/3rds majority in the Lavereting that it had enjoyed since 2003 that allowed it to unilaterally amend the constitution. Observers have said this has forced the government to approach the opposition for the first time in 20 years.

Bisgaard is seen as a liberalising figure within Ehoway and has made token overtures towards the opposition, in 2018 he left VOHFOLK and formed the Progress Party which was seen as an attempt to distance himself from the previous government. In 2020 he condemned certain aspects of Krogh's Presidency and pardoned several political activists who had been jailed under Krogh's Presidency. He has sought to repair relations with Hallania which had been strained in recent years. Domestically Bisgaard enjoys widespread support and according to independent analysts has maintained a high approval rating since becoming President. Critics however have pointed out Bisgaard's strongman tactics of ruling and note that the country's democratic institutions have continued to be eroded under his government and have called into question his commitment towards liberalisation.

President of VOHFOLK

Relationship with the government

• Erasing the line between party and state