Sweden gets its first female prime minister when Magdalena Andersson wins the election
On Wednesday, the Riksdag approved Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister. The decision marked a historic achievement for the Nordic country, which became the first in the region to have a female leader. Shortly after her election – where the 52-year-old replaced Stefan Lofven – she received standing ovations from the sections of parliament.
– I have been elected Sweden’s first female prime minister and know what it means for girls in our country, Andersson said in the aftermath of the election.
This is Magdalena Andersson, Sweden’s first female prime minister, as of today. She succeeds Stefan Löfven both as Sweden’s prime minister and party leader for the Social Democrats. Magdalena Andersson is preceded by 33 men in the post of Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/mbKOV9tXBy
– Sweden.se (@swedense) 24 November 2021
Lost the parliamentary vote
According to a report by BBC, Andersson had lost the vote in the 349-member Riksdag (Sweden’s unicameral legislative assembly). On Wednesday, 174 MPs voted against her, 117 MPs supported her bid while 57 abstained. But according to Swedish law, the prime ministerial candidate only requires that the majority of members of parliament do not vote against them – a provision that worked in favor of the socio-democratic leader.
Image: AP