Sweden’s new government ready to scrap ‘feminist foreign policy’ after announcing youngest minister
Just moments after Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced his government on Tuesday, the right-wing party has announced it will scrap the “feminist foreign policy” launched by the left wing in 2014.
The new foreign minister Tobias Billström announced this move.
Also read | 26-year-old Romina Pourmokhtari will be Sweden’s youngest minister
The policy was first coined in 2014 by former foreign minister Margot Walolström, in the hope of marking gender equality in the country. The policy was introduced to increase female participation in the administration along with combating sexual violence and economic emancipation, AFP reported.
The “feminist foreign policy” has been adopted by several other countries but some are opposed like the Middle East. According to a document published in 2021, Sweden could contribute its new policy to countries such as Somalia and Moldova. The policy was also added to Colombia’s 206 peace accords.
The document further stated that the policy could also contribute to new legislation in at least 20 countries including gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and more.
Also read | Sweden’s new Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appoints cabinet ministers
Billström said in a conversation with news agency TT on Tuesday, “Equality is a fundamental value in Sweden and also a fundamental value for this government.” He further added, “But we will not use the phrase ‘feminist foreign policy’ because labels on things tend to hide the content.”
The new foreign minister further stated that no major changes will be made to the country’s policies, unlike its historic NATO application process.
Sweden’s new right-wing government was announced on Tuesday along with its youngest minister. Romina Thunberg, 26, is responsible for leading as climate minister.
(With input from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE