Stockholm, 24 November 2021 (TDI): Magdalena Andersson became Sweden’s first female Prime Minister. She succeeds Stefan Löfven both as a Prime Minister of Sweden and party leader for the Social Democrats.
She is the second woman to be elected Social Democratic party leader. Andersson has been Sweden’s Minister for Finance since 2014 and has long been active in the Social Democratic Party.
Magdalena Andersson is preceded by 33 men on the prime minister’s post. 117 members of parliament voted for her.
Following a meeting on Friday with King Carl XVI Gustaf; Andersson, currently serving as Sweden’s finance Minister, Andersson will officially assume the role of prime minister.
A hundred years after Swedish women were given the vote, sections of the parliament or Riksdag gave the 54-year-old Social Democrats leader a standing ovation.
Sweden, despite being a nation that champions gender equality for a long time, was the only Nordic country without a female national leader whereas, all other Nordic countries–Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland–have had women as their leaders.
Sweden was considered one of Europe’s most progressive nations in terms of gender relations for decades but had not yet seen a woman holding the top post. This milestone marked a major achievement. Lofven’s government has described itself as “feminist” and places equality between men and women at the core of its national and international work.
Amineh Kakabaveh was an independent lawmaker that supported Andersson and made a speech to parliament. She noted Sweden is currently marking the 100th anniversary of the decision to implement universal and equal voting in Scandinavia.
Kakabaveh, an Iranian Kurdish descendant, stated, “If women are only allowed to vote but are never elected to the highest office, democracy is not complete.” She said, “There’s something symbolic in that decision.”
However, Stefan Lofven, former prime minister of the country, resigned on November 10 after seven years at power and losing a confidence election whereas, both Lofven & Andersson are Social Democrats.
Congratulations Message
Ann Linde, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden congratulated Magdalena Andersson on becoming the first female Prime Minister via Twitter.
indescribably happy: Magdalena Andersson is now the first ever female Prime Minister in Sweden🌹No doubt – she will continue to be remarkable!
— Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) November 24, 2021
Moreover, Anette Novak, Director general of the Swedish Media Council also expressed her happiness via Twitter.
A historic day! 100 years after Sweden introduced universal and equal suffrage, we today elected our first female prime minister: Magdalena Andersson.
Foto: Kristian Pohl/Regeringskansliet pic.twitter.com/6K52QsLSi7
— anette novak 📎 (@anettenovak) November 24, 2021
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