Sweden’s first female prime minister approved by the Riksdag
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) – Sweden’s Riksdag on Wednesday approved Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister, and pointed to the finance minister who recently became the new leader of the Social Democratic Party.
Andersson was hired to replace Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he released earlier this year.
The development marked a milestone for Sweden, which for decades was considered one of Europe’s most progressive countries in terms of gender relations, but which did not yet have a woman in the top political position. Lofven’s government describes itself as feminist and puts equality between women and men at the center of national and international work.
In a speech to parliament, Amineh Kakabaveh, an independent legislator who supported Andersson, stated that Sweden is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the decision to introduce universal and equal suffrage in the Scandinavian country.
“If women are only allowed to vote but are never elected to the highest office, democracy is not complete,” said Kakabaveh, who is of Iranian Kurdish descent.
“There is something symbolic in this decision,” she added. “Feminism is always about girls and women being complete people who have the same opportunities as men and boys.”
“I was really moved by what she said. She pointed out exactly what I thought,” Andersson said after her appointment in the Riksdag, where she received standing ovations and a bouquet of red roses.
– I have been elected Sweden’s first female prime minister and know what it means for girls in our country, Andersson says.
In the Riksdag with 349 seats, 117 legislators voted yes to Andersson, 174 rejected her appointment while 57 abstained and one lawyer was absent.
According to the Swedish constitution, prime ministers can be appointed and govern as long as a parliamentary majority – at least 175 legislators – is not against them.
Lofven has led the Swedish government in caretaking until a new government is formed, something that is expected on Friday. Andersson will probably form a two-party minority government with his Social Democrats and the Green Party.
Andersson, 54, tried to secure the support from the two smaller parties that supported Sweden’s previous center-minority government led by Lofven – the Left Party and the Center Party. Both abstained from voting against Andersson.
After days of talks, Andersson and the Left Party reached an agreement to win the support of the latter. The deal focused on pensions, which means a supplement of up to SEK 1,000 ($ 111) for approximately 700,000 low-income pensioners.
Sweden’s next parliamentary election is scheduled for 11 September.