Stefan Lofven steps down, Magdalena Andersson may become the country’s first female prime minister
Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Lofven officially resigned on Wednesday, November 10, paving the way for the country to have its first female prime minister. According to the Associated Press, Magdalena Andersson, who is the country’s current finance minister, has been chosen to replace Lofven as head of the Social Democratic Party (SAP), which means she can become prime minister if she wins a vote in parliament next week. Until then, Lofven will continue as acting prime minister, said Speaker of the Riksdag Andreas Norlen.
At a press conference, Lofven said: “It has been seven fantastic years, and I am very proud as a working boy to have had the privilege of leading our country during these years.”
It is worth mentioning that Lofven, a trade union negotiator, has led a minority coalition with the Greens since 2014. Earlier this year, he had announced that he would resign before the next parliamentary election, ending in September 2022. Lofven was reinstated as SAP President in July after have secured a new coalition. However, he unexpectedly announced in August that he would resign in November.
Now no time frame for a new cabinet has been announced. It should be noted that according to the Swedish Constitution, prime ministers can govern as long as a parliamentary majority – at least 175 legislators – is not against them.
Andersson is taking a step closer to becoming Sweden’s first female prime minister
At the same time, Andersson, who last week was unanimously elected the new leader of SAP, is now one step closer to becoming the country’s first female prime minister. The 54-year-old economist and former competition swimmer will become head of government, provided she wins a vote in parliament, the date of which has not yet been set.
Andersson will need to secure the support of both the Greens and the Left Party and the Center Party, which have had trust and supply alliances with the Lofven government. If she secures the post of prime minister, Andersson will have to control her party through the next parliamentary elections in Sweden in 2022. According to AP, the current Social Democratic-Green governing coalition hopes to secure Andersson’s confirmation as prime minister with the backing of two smaller parties.