Magdalena Anderson, leader of the Social Democratic Party and current finance minister, has been elected Prime Minister of Sweden. She was elected the country’s first female prime minister in parliament on Wednesday. Earlier, at the very last moment, he confirmed the support. Anderson replaces outgoing Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
118 members of parliament voted for Anderson. 58 abstained. 164 people voted against him. One person is absent from voting.
According to Sweden’s constitution, the prime ministerial candidate does not need a majority in parliament. Opponents of the candidate run only if there are not more than 165 people.
The 54-year-old leader was elected leader of the ruling Social Democrats this month. His agreement with the Left was finalized last Tuesday. The Left Party has promised to support Anderson on the condition that the pension be increased.
Anderson had earlier confirmed the support of Green and Center parties, partners in the Social Democrats’ coalition. However, he had to face a big blow before yesterday’s vote in the parliament. MPs from both parties did not block Anderson’s bid to become prime minister, but threatened to withdraw support from the government if he was more sympathetic to the Left Party.
Anderson will take over as prime minister on Friday.
On November 10, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven resigned. He has been leading the Minority Alliance with the Green Party since 2014. Earlier this year, Stefan said he would resign before the September 2022 general election to give the party’s next leadership enough time.
