The leader of the Social Democrats has been appointed at the end of difficult negotiations.
Le Monde with AFP
The head of the Social Democrats of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson, was elected Prime Minister by Parliament, Wednesday, November 24, thus becoming the first woman to lead the Nordic Kingdom, after several days of difficult negotiations.
Up the Minister of Finance of the Government of Stefan Löfven, Revairing Prime Minister, this 54-year-old economist had assured Tuesday night, in extremis, the support necessary to reach power, thanks to an agreement of the last hour With the left party to increase small retreats. Obviously moved, she got up under the applause of her camp to be recovered by the President of Riksdag.
Bad surprise however for the new leader: she lost the support of a key centrist party for her budget. It therefore risks to govern with the budget prepared by the right opposition with the unpublished support of the far-right party of the Democrats of Sweden, after a vote scheduled in the afternoon. “I think I can govern the country nevertheless,” she said at a press conference, taking up his slogan “I think Sweden can do better.”
Used by seven years in power and a political crisis at the beginning of the summer, Stefan Löfven had announced in August that he would resign in November. Old high-level swimmer, known for his direct style that is worth nicknamed the “bulldozer”, Magdalena Andersson had already succeeded him at the head of the Social Democratic Party in early November.
Objective: The Legislative 2022
The handover for the prime minister’s position has proved complicated, with the smallest margin. The tight political balances of the Swedish Parliament, which resulted in a period of four months to form a government after the last elections of 2018, complicated the situation. Magdalena Andersson was elected thanks to a vote of members of 117 votes for, 57 abstentions, 174 against and an absence. In Sweden, a government is “past” as an absolute majority of 175 deputies on 349 does not vote its censorship.
Although champion displayed from gender equality, Sweden never had a woman premier, unlike all other Nordic countries. A century after the voting rights of women in Sweden, Magdalena Andersson succeeds 33 men who have held the position since its creation in 1876.
Once acquired his appointment in Rosenbad, the seat of the Prime Minister, his great challenge is known: to maintain the Social Democrats in power to the legislative of September 2022. Around 25% in the polls, the party keeps its rank of First political training of Sweden, but is close to its historic floors.
Three main priorities
He will have to counteract his great rival, the conservative party of the moderates, led by Ulf Kristersson. The latter came closer to the anti-immigration far-right party of the Swedish Democrats (SD), testifies their alliance on the budget, and is now ready to govern with its support in Parliament. This end of the sanitary cord and games of alliances between large and small parties make the ballot even more unpredictable, highlight the analysts. Ulf Kristersson mocked Wednesday morning “a desperate government”, in an interview at the Swedish press agency TT.
To revive his camp, Magdalena Andersson has set three main priorities: “Resume democratic control” on schools, the health system and retirement homes after a wave of privatization; install Sweden in climate champion; and combat segregation and the brutal war of the gangs that the country can not stop.