Sweden’s parliament elects Magdalena Andersson as new prime minister, for second time in five days

The current finance minister was elected last week but had to resign just five hours later after the Green Party quit her coalition government

Despite long championing gender equality, Sweden has never before had a woman as prime minister

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Magdalena Andersson holds a press conference after the Swedish parliament voted for the second time on her appointment as prime minister, on November 29. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:24pm, 29 Nov 2021Updated: 11:14pm, 29 Nov 2021

Sweden’s parliament on Monday elected Magdalena Andersson as the country’s prime minister, the first woman to hold the post, five days after her initial bid lasted only hours.

Despite being a nation that has long championed gender equality, Sweden has never before had a woman as prime minister.

Last week Andersson was elected by parliament but she had to resign just hours later – before she even had a chance to formally take office – after the Green Party quit her coalition government.

The parliamentary turbulence was unprecedented in politically stable Sweden, where the Social Democrats have dominated for almost a century.

Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson sits as she is applauded after being appointed prime minister. Photo: AP

The 54-year-old, who is the outgoing finance minister, will now head a minority government made up solely of the Social Democrats, with 10 months to go before September general elections.