The Swedish Parliament approves the first female Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson
Sweden’s Riksdag has confirmed the Social Democrats’ leader Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister.
Keyword:
- Andersson’s appointment is a milestone for Sweden, which did not yet have a woman in the top political post
- She replaces Stefan Lofven, who was prime minister for seven years
- Three quarters of the Scandinavian countries now have female leaders
Andersson, 54, received approval as prime minister after reaching a last-minute agreement with the former Communist Left Party.
The development has marked a milestone for Sweden, which for decades was considered one of Europe’s most progressive countries, but which did not yet have a woman in the top political post.
Sweden has lagged behind its neighbor Norway by 40 years when it comes to appointing a female prime minister.
Finland had its first female premiere in 2003 and Denmark in 2011.
Andersson’s appointment means that three quarters of the Scandinavian countries now have female leaders.
“I know what this means for girls in our country,” said an obviously emotional Ms Andersson.
Andersson took over as leader of the Social Democrats after the outgoing Prime Minister Stefan Lofven earlier this month.
Lofven had been in power for seven years, with Andersson as finance minister.
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.
“There is something symbolic in this decision.”
Andersson would form a two-party minority
In the Riksdag with 349 seats, 117 members voted in favor of Andersson, 174 rejected her appointment while 57 abstained and one legislator 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.
Andersson will probably form a two-party minority government with his Social Democrats and the Green Party.
She tried to secure the support of the two smaller parties that supported Sweden’s previous center-minority government under the leadership of Lofven – the Left Party and the Center Party.
Both abstained from voting against her.
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 ($ 153) for approximately 700,000 low-income pensioners.
Sweden’s next parliamentary election is scheduled for September 11, 2022.
Wires / ABC