Sweden’s probably next prime minister has promised to stop segregation and “smoke out” the violence and wave of gang-related crime that has hit the country.
Magdalena Andersson, who would become Sweden’s first female leader, was backed by the ruling Social Democrats to take the leadership from the incumbent Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
He wants to resign from his role ahead of national elections in September 2022.
Andersson, currently Sweden’s Minister of Finance, said that reducing the role of the private sector in education, care and care for the elderly and tackling climate change would be a priority.
“I want … no, I demand that we turn every stone to stop segregation and smoke out the violence that threatens our entire society,” she said.
In recent years, Sweden has struggled to curb the increasing shootings and bombings – usually targeting organized criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking.
The Swedish Crime Prevention Council says that gun violence has increased since 2005.
“Although it is difficult to explain the initial causes of the trend in Sweden, research shows that gun violence can escalate due to a social spreading effect, where one shooting tends to lead to another,” it says.
“It then becomes increasingly easier to use weapons and gun violence is used both offensively and in self-defense.
“At the same time, the increase in Sweden is limited to a very specific group – young men involved in criminal environments in socially vulnerable areas.”
While Andersson is about to become prime minister, her appointment is not certain.
Lofven’s minority coalition with the Green Party has been struggling since he came to power in 2014. Andersson, 54, would need support from both the Greens and other parties to succeed Lofven and lead the country.
When he resigns, Andersson must win a vote in Sweden’s Riksdag to become the country’s first female prime minister.
“With all the problems we’ve had, it’s clear to people that we need to do more together,” she said.
Andersson, the only daughter of a university professor and teacher, first made a name for himself as a swimmer and twice won the Swedish juniors’ gold medal.
Updated: November 5, 2021, 11:29