Sweden’s 1st female PM presents govt

Copenhagen, Nov. 30: Sweden’s first female prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, on Tuesday presented her one-party minority government with only a few changes compared to the previous Cabinet.

Andersson, who had been Sweden’'s finance minister, picked Mikael Damberg to replace her in that role. Damberg previously had been home affairs minister. Andersson, the leader of the Social Democratic party, was elected again Monday as the Scandinavian nation’s head of government. She resigned last week after seven hours as prime minister because a budget defeat prompted thencoalition partner the Greens to quit her twoparty coalition.

The move followed the rejection of her government’s budget proposal in favour of one presented by opposition parties, including the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats, which are rooted in a neo-Nazi movement.

On Monday, Andersson was named as prime minister even though 101 lawmakers voted in favour of her appointment and 173 were against it, with 75 abstentions. Under the Swedish Constitution, prime ministers can be named and govern as long as a parliamentary majority — a minimum of 175 lawmakers — doesn’t oppose them. Andersson kept Ann Linde as foreign minister and Peter Hultqvist as defence minister. The Greens held, among others, the environment and culture ministries in the previous government. Social Democrats Annika Strandhall and Jeanette took over the two posts. Andersson has replaced Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he relinquished earlier this year.

She will be formally installed following an audience with King Carl XVI Gustav, Sweden’s figurehead monarch.

Lofven will step down. Sweden’s next general election is scheduled for Sept 11. —