Swedish Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson was elected head of the Social Democratic Party on Thursday, a first step ahead of her planned assumption of the post of Prime Minister in place of resigning Stefan Löfven, ahead of elections again under the specter of the extreme right next year.

The 54-year-old senior economist and swimmer, who was the only candidate, was elected by acclamation at the party congress in Gothenburg.

Fight against "segregation"

She is due to become the first female prime minister in Swedish history, provided she wins a vote in parliament, the date of which is not yet known. "I accepted to be president of the party because I know that Sweden can do better and that I know that it is us, the Social Democrats, who must lead Sweden forward," he said. she launched to applause, saying she was "honored" by her new function. "Now we will continue this fight, comrades, this fight that I am eager to lead to govern with you", continued the new head of the party.

Her first challenge will be to establish her brand and distinguish herself from Stefan Löfven, whom she has been close to during her two terms, according to analysts.

She seemed to take this direction by posting three priorities Thursday: the climate, "the resumption of democratic control" over schools and the health system after a wave of privatizations but also the fight against "segregation" and violent gangs that the government has so far failed to counter this.

Next presidential election in 2022

Stefan Löfven, at the end of the race after seven years as Prime Minister and weakened by a political crisis at the beginning of the summer, had announced in August that he would leave his post in November, less than a year before the elections which took place. announced disputed in September 2022. This departure made it possible to ensure a succession in view of the electoral campaign, while the Social Democrats are threatened in the polls. Magdalena Andersson will notably have to counter the conservative Moderates party led by Ulf Kristersson.

The latter has joined forces with the anti-immigration Swedish Democrats (SD) party and is now ready to govern with its support in Parliament.

A major political shift in Sweden at the end of a decade of breakthrough by the far right, fueled by hostility to large inflows of refugees, before a turn of the screw decided by the Social Democratic government in 2015-2016.

Stefan Löfven, who is still Prime Minister, has still not announced the exact date of his resignation, which should trigger the parliamentary process of electing Magdalena Andersson.

A "historic" arrival

But the political balances in the Swedish Parliament are so tight that the Social Democrats must secure the joint support of their environmental allies and of two other parties: the Left Party and the Center Party. Often divergent interests that Magdalena Andersson will have to ensure in order not to be blocked in her march towards power. “The opposition will try to describe it as a Stefan Löfven 3 government and they will have to prove that it is the Magdalena Andersson 1 government.

The two stories will clash during the elections ”, underlines Anders Lindberg, head of the political service of the daily Aftonbladet, close to the Social Democrats.

Politically, the probable future Prime Minister has built a reputation as a strong woman, with a direct tone that destabilizes in an often civilized Sweden, underline the experts.

Although open champion of gender equality, Sweden is the last Nordic country to never have had a woman prime minister.

An almost anachronistic status in the country, but which means that his arrival in power is described as “historic”.

World

Coronavirus in Sweden: "I believe we have failed", says King Carl XVI Gustaf

Health

Coronavirus: No confinement, no mask ... Why is Sweden going it alone in the face of the pandemic?

  • Sweden

  • Prime Minister

  • Government

  • World