Hagen has a doctoral degree from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. He was a member of the Lillehammer municipality council between 1991 and 2003, deputy county mayor of Oppland from 2003 to 2007, and a member of the Oppland county council from 2007 until his election to parliament. Hagen was deputy leader of SV's local Oppland chapter between 1998 and 2000, before become the chapter's leader between 2000 and 2004.[2]
During his successful campaign, Hagen identified narrowing the gap between rich and poor as his most important issue.[4] In parliament, Hagen is SV's spokesperson on educational affairs, and supports longer school hours and the abolition of homework at the elementary school level (1st-7th grade).[5]
References
^Olsen, Stein B.; Jortveit, Ingrid Nergården (15 September 2009). "Aksel Hagen er inne" (in Norwegian). Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
^Sjøli, Hans Petter; Horn, Anders (3 March 2010). "Thomassen ny Rødt-leder" (in Norwegian). Klassekampen. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
^Børresen, Mette Finborud (26 June 2009). "Vil roe ned de søkkrike" (in Norwegian). NRK Hedmark og Oppland. Retrieved 18 May 2010.