Cabinet of Göran Persson
Encyclopedia
Göran Persson
served as Prime Minister of Sweden
between March 22, 1996 and October 6, 2006. Persson took over after Ingvar Carlsson
, who retired as party leader and Prime Minister. Following the 2006 general election
, he and his cabinet lost power to a centre-right
coalition government
.
When Ingvar Carlsson in the fall of 1995 declared that he intended to resign as leader for the Social Democratic Party and prime minister of Sweden, deputy prime minister Mona Sahlin
was the only one who accepted to candidate to that position. However, a scandal mainly concerning irresponsible use of her Riksdag credit card and unpaid parking tickets forced her to withdraw her candidature that same fall. The search continued and Jan Nyman, Ingela Thalén as well as Göran Persson became the new possible candidates, but all of them declined to candidate when approached by the election board.
After repeatedly declining to candidate Göran Persson suddenly changed his mind, accepted and was elected new leader of the Social Democratic Party and prime minister of Sweden in March 1996. Göran Persson inherited a party with a solid representation in the parliament, in the 1994 election more than 45 percent of the voters had given his predecessor their vote. Still not leading a party with a majority of the seats in the parliament, Göran Persson relied on parliamentary support from the Centre Party when outlining his politics. He launched a series of criticized cut-back programs, defending them in a famous speech to the parliament starting with the expression "the one in debt is not free".
He did not manage to convince the voters however and the 1998 general election became a huge setback for the Social Democratic Party, now supported by only 36,4 percent of the voters. The Moderate party leader, Carl Bildt, expressed his concerns about Göran Persson not resigning from office, as an outcome of the election. Bildt claimed that the government forming process should start all over with the Speaker of parliament selecting a prime minister based on his or her ability to form a government. He initiated a vote of no confidence, opposed by a majority formed by the Social Democratic Party as well as the Green and Left parties which were to be the new political partners. Eventually Göran Persson formed a one-party government, refusing to give seats to the Left or Green parties.
In the 2002 general election Persson gained an increase in voter support with 39,9 percent voting for his party, again the Moderate Party leader, this time Bo Lundgren, initiated a vote of no confidence targeting the whereabouts of the actual parliamentary support for Mr Persson. This time Persson was not backed by the Green Party, received support from a minority but managed to stay in office since the Green Party refrained from voting at all. He continued his one-party government policy, but extended his co-operation with the Green and Left parties for another four year term.
area expressed concerns about how Social Democratic campaign workers had collected large amounts of voting cards from voters and voted on their behalf. To collect large amounts of voting cards and vote in such a way is unconstitutional and therefore gained some initial media attention. The county and city of Stockholm, governed by a coalition led by the Moderate Party
, became subject to change of leadership as a result of the election and the criticism was quickly silenced. The circumstances of the suspected ballot rigging was never investigated. There have been other cases that have led to evictions at 2002 elections for ballot rigging by Social democratic party members working in the election offices. Many reports of other ballot rigging have also been announced throughout the country by other parties but in lack of proof none has gone to court.
, claimed that primeminister Göran Persson
threatened him during the election campaign in 2002. According to Mr. Scherman, Persson said that "TV4 is investing heavy in a non-socialistic election victory", if the socialists wins you "will have a lots of enemies in Rosenbad
". The claims never gained as much public interest as did the other scandals, even though the accusations enhanced the image of Mr. Persson trying to gain control of the major free media companies. In Sweden, the Swedish Television, SVT
, with the other two large TV-channels, SVT1 and SVT2, is connected to the government and Social Democrats hold key positions among the board of directors. Björn Rosengren
, Social Democrat, former Minister of Enterprise and close friend of Göran Persson, has rapidly gained an influential position in the Swedish media company MTG
which in turn owns TV-channels and newspapers such as Metro International
.
was revealed in Swedish media. The content of the letters written were rumours about irregularities or illegal actions claimed to have been performed by Fredrik Reinfeldt himself or his close relatives. According to computer specialists the source of the campaign had been tracked down to computers located at the Social Democratic HQ in central Stockholm. Initially spokespersons of the Social Democratic Party denied all involvement in the defamation but were later forced to confess that one of their employees had written the letters as evidence became overwhelming. The case was reported to the police by the Moderate Party but was closed a few days later since it was considered a private law-issue.
. As a result he is now the subject of an investigation by the Constitutional Committee. The 'interference' in the independent working of the business of authorities such as the police, called 'ministerstyre', is strictly forbidden in Swedish law. As media requested to see e-mails that could be relevant to the matter they was denied around 700 of the 900 e-mails requested due to top secret declaration even though the government promised everything would be open for investigation. When asked why the e-mails had been declared top secret Thomas Bodström stated that they could not be shown because of the secrecy declaration. The government itself decided what will be top secret.
, managed to maintain her office. However in 2006 another embarrassing scandal erupted with its roots in Denmark where paintings of the Muslim prophet Muhammed were published during the fall of 2005. A Swedish right-wing political newspaper decided to publish them as well on the Internet edition of their publication, the webpage however was quickly closed down by the ISP after intervention from the Swedish Security Service and the Swedish office of foreign affairs. The close down became subject to much debate and some journalists compared it to the censorship of anti-German articles during WWII. Mrs. Freivalds denied at first all involvement in the case, but was forced to confess as official reports clearly pointed out her central role in the closing of the webpage. The political pressure became too much and primeminister Göran Persson
, flanked by Mrs. Freivalds herself, chose to briefly declare the resignation of his minister of foreign affairs under a short press conference. That Freivalds did not declare the expected news herself, despite the fact that she was obviously present on the press conference, quickly spurred discussions about whether she resigned voluntarily or actually got dismissed by the primeminister.
Göran Persson
Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as...
served as Prime Minister of Sweden
Prime Minister of Sweden
The Prime Minister is the head of government in the Kingdom of Sweden. Before the creation of the office of a Prime Minister in 1876, Sweden did not have a head of government separate from its head of state, namely the King, in whom the executive authority was vested...
between March 22, 1996 and October 6, 2006. Persson took over after Ingvar Carlsson
Ingvar Carlsson
Gösta Ingvar Carlsson is a Swedish politician, Prime Minister of Sweden and leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party ....
, who retired as party leader and Prime Minister. Following the 2006 general election
Swedish general election, 2006
A general election was held in Sweden on 17 September 2006, to elect members to the Swedish parliament. All 349 seats were up for election: 310 "fixed seats" in 29 constituencies and 39 members at a national level for what are called "adjustment seats", used to ensure that parties have...
, he and his cabinet lost power to a centre-right
Centre-right
The centre-right or center-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote individuals, political parties, or organizations whose views stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. Centre-right can also describe a coalition of centrist...
coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
.
When Ingvar Carlsson in the fall of 1995 declared that he intended to resign as leader for the Social Democratic Party and prime minister of Sweden, deputy prime minister Mona Sahlin
Mona Sahlin
Mona Ingeborg Sahlin is a Swedish politician and the former leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.Sahlin has been a Member of Parliament, representing Stockholm County, from 1982 to 1996 and again since 2002. She has also held various ministerial posts in the Swedish government from 1990...
was the only one who accepted to candidate to that position. However, a scandal mainly concerning irresponsible use of her Riksdag credit card and unpaid parking tickets forced her to withdraw her candidature that same fall. The search continued and Jan Nyman, Ingela Thalén as well as Göran Persson became the new possible candidates, but all of them declined to candidate when approached by the election board.
After repeatedly declining to candidate Göran Persson suddenly changed his mind, accepted and was elected new leader of the Social Democratic Party and prime minister of Sweden in March 1996. Göran Persson inherited a party with a solid representation in the parliament, in the 1994 election more than 45 percent of the voters had given his predecessor their vote. Still not leading a party with a majority of the seats in the parliament, Göran Persson relied on parliamentary support from the Centre Party when outlining his politics. He launched a series of criticized cut-back programs, defending them in a famous speech to the parliament starting with the expression "the one in debt is not free".
He did not manage to convince the voters however and the 1998 general election became a huge setback for the Social Democratic Party, now supported by only 36,4 percent of the voters. The Moderate party leader, Carl Bildt, expressed his concerns about Göran Persson not resigning from office, as an outcome of the election. Bildt claimed that the government forming process should start all over with the Speaker of parliament selecting a prime minister based on his or her ability to form a government. He initiated a vote of no confidence, opposed by a majority formed by the Social Democratic Party as well as the Green and Left parties which were to be the new political partners. Eventually Göran Persson formed a one-party government, refusing to give seats to the Left or Green parties.
In the 2002 general election Persson gained an increase in voter support with 39,9 percent voting for his party, again the Moderate Party leader, this time Bo Lundgren, initiated a vote of no confidence targeting the whereabouts of the actual parliamentary support for Mr Persson. This time Persson was not backed by the Green Party, received support from a minority but managed to stay in office since the Green Party refrained from voting at all. He continued his one-party government policy, but extended his co-operation with the Green and Left parties for another four year term.
Cabinet
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister's Office Rosenbad Rosenbad is a building in central Stockholm, precinct of Norrmalm, designed by Art Nouveau architect Ferdinand Boberg and completed in 1902. It is located on Strömgatan on the North side of the river Norrström... |
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| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Sweden The Prime Minister is the head of government in the Kingdom of Sweden. Before the creation of the office of a Prime Minister in 1876, Sweden did not have a head of government separate from its head of state, namely the King, in whom the executive authority was vested... , Head of the Prime Minister's Office |
Göran Persson Göran Persson Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as... |
March 22, 1996 | October 6, 2006 |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Birgitta Hjelm-Wallén is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. 1968 became Hjelm-Wallén a member of the Swedish Parliament and she held several cabinet positions. Starting in 1974 as the youngest minister to that date... |
October 7, 1998 | October 21, 2002 |
| Margareta Winberg Margareta Winberg Gun Margareta Winberg is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. Winberg held various ministerial posts in the Third cabinet of Ingvar Carlsson and Cabinet of Göran Persson from 1994 to 2003, and was Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden from 2002 to 2003... |
October 21, 2002 | October 31, 2004 | |
| Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist is a Swedish politician. He served as chairman of the youth organization of the Swedish Social Democrats from 1972 to 1978, and then worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief... |
June 1, 2004 | October 1, 2004 | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Sport Minister for Policy Coordination on European Affairs (from January 1, 2005) |
Bosse Ringholm Bosse Ringholm Bo "Bosse" Ingvar Karchimirer Ringholm is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He held the titles of Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Policy Coordination, and Minister for Sport in the Persson administration.- Career :Ringholm was born in Falköping, a town in the west of... |
November 1, 2004 | October 6, 2006 |
| Minister of Weapon Export Topics | Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson between 1996 and 2006.-Biography:... |
1996 | 1997 |
| Minister for Policy Coordination | Thage G. Peterson Thage G. Peterson Thage Edvin Gerhard Peterson is a Swedish politician .-Political career:*1971–1998: member of parliament*1982–1988: Minister for Industry*1988: Minister for Justice... |
1997 | 1998 |
| Pär Nuder Pär Nuder Pär Anders Nuder is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was the Minister of Finance between November 1, 2004 and October 6, 2006.Pär Nuder was born in Täby north of Stockholm, but grew up in Österåker, where he still resides... |
October 21, 2002 | October 21, 2004 | |
| Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice (Sweden) The Ministry of Justice is a Cabinet level ministry in the Government of Sweden with responsibility for legislation. The ministry is responsible for the Swedish legal system in Constitution and general administrative law, civil law, procedural law and criminal law... |
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| Minister for Justice Minister for Justice (Sweden) The Minister for Justice is the justice minister of Sweden and head of the Ministry of Justice. The current Minister for Justice is Beatrice Ask of the Moderate Party.... , Head of the Ministry of Justice |
Laila Freivalds Laila Freivalds Laila Ligita Freivalds is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and a former Swedish Minister for Justice, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.... |
October 7, 1994 | September 21, 2000 |
| Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Birgitta Hjelm-Wallén is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. 1968 became Hjelm-Wallén a member of the Swedish Parliament and she held several cabinet positions. Starting in 1974 as the youngest minister to that date... (acting) |
September 21, 2000 | October 15, 2000 | |
| Thomas Bodström Thomas Bodström Thomas Lennart Bodström is a Swedish politician and member of the Swedish Social Democratic Party. He was the Swedish Minister for Justice in the two last succeeding governments of the Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, from 2000 to 2006. Since October 2006 until October 2010 he was the chairman... |
October 16, 2000 | October 6, 2006 | |
| Minister for Democracy and Administration | Britta Lejon Britta Lejon Britta Lejon is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was a member of the Riksdag, and the cabinet of Göran Persson. Lejon is the daughter of former Minister of Justice, Anna-Greta Leijon.... |
1998 | October 15, 2002 |
| Minister for Democracy, Urban affairs, Integration and Sports | Mona Sahlin Mona Sahlin Mona Ingeborg Sahlin is a Swedish politician and the former leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.Sahlin has been a Member of Parliament, representing Stockholm County, from 1982 to 1996 and again since 2002. She has also held various ministerial posts in the Swedish government from 1990... |
October 21, 2002 | October 21, 2004 |
| Minister for Democracy, Urban affairs, Integration and Equality | Jens Orback Jens Orback Jens Olov Heinrich Orback is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Democracy, Metropolitan Affairs, Integration and Gender Equality in the Ministry of Justice in the Cabinet of Göran Persson .... |
October 21, 2004 | October 6, 2006 |
| Ministry for Foreign Affairs Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden) The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for Swedish foreign policy.Current ministers:*Carl Bildt Head of Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs.*Ewa Björling as Minister for Foreign Trade... |
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| Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden) The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the foreign minister of Sweden and the head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.The office was instituted in 1809 as a result of the constitutional Instrument of Government promulgated in the same year. Until 1876 the office was called Prime Minister for Foreign... , Head of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs |
Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Hjelm-Wallén Lena Birgitta Hjelm-Wallén is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. 1968 became Hjelm-Wallén a member of the Swedish Parliament and she held several cabinet positions. Starting in 1974 as the youngest minister to that date... |
October 7, 1994 | October 7, 1998 |
| Anna Lindh Anna Lindh Ylva Anna Maria Lindh was a Swedish Social Democratic politician, Chairman of the Social Democratic Youth League 1984-1990, Member of Parliament 1982-1985 and 1998-2003... |
October 7, 1998 | September 11, 2003 | |
| Jan O. Karlsson Jan O. Karlsson Jan Olov Karlsson , Swedish politician, former President of the European Court of Auditors, and former Minister for Development Cooperation, Migration and Asylum Policy from 2002 and from September 11, 2003 to October 10, 2003 acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, following the murder of Anna... (acting) |
September 11, 2003 | October 10, 2003 | |
| Laila Freivalds Laila Freivalds Laila Ligita Freivalds is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and a former Swedish Minister for Justice, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.... |
October 10, 2003 | March 21, 2006 | |
| Bo Ringholm Bosse Ringholm Bo "Bosse" Ingvar Karchimirer Ringholm is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He held the titles of Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Policy Coordination, and Minister for Sport in the Persson administration.- Career :Ringholm was born in Falköping, a town in the west of... |
March 21, 2006 | March 27, 2006 | |
| Carin Jämtin Carin Jämtin Carin Jämtin is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and the party-Secretary of the Social Democratic Party since 26 March 2011. She was Minister for International Development Cooperation in the Swedish government between 2003 and 2006.-Early career:She has briefly studied at Stockholm... (acting) |
March 27, 2006 | April 24, 2006 | |
| Jan Eliasson Jan Eliasson Jan Kenneth Eliasson is a Swedish diplomat and Social Democratic politician.- Biography :Jan Eliasson was born in a working-class family in Gothenburg. He was an AFS exchange student in Indiana, United States, from 1957 to 1958 and was commissioned reserve officer after military training at the... |
April 24, 2006 | October 6, 2006 | |
| Minister for Development Cooperation Minister of Eastern Europe Topics |
Pierre Schori Pierre Schori Jean - Pierre Olov Schori is a Swedish diplomat of Swiss heritage. For many years he was international secretary in the Swedish Socialdemocratic Party and a close assistant to the Swedish prime minister Olof Palme... |
October 7, 1994 | September 14, 1999 |
| Utrikeshandelsminister | Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson between 1996 and 2006.-Biography:... |
1998 | October 21, 2002 |
| Bistånds- och migrationsminister | Maj-Inger Klingvall | September 14, 1999 | 2001 |
| Jan O. Karlsson Jan O. Karlsson Jan Olov Karlsson , Swedish politician, former President of the European Court of Auditors, and former Minister for Development Cooperation, Migration and Asylum Policy from 2002 and from September 11, 2003 to October 10, 2003 acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, following the murder of Anna... |
7 January 2002 | 10 October 2003 | |
| Migrationsminister | Barbro Holmberg Barbro Holmberg Barbro Holmberg is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. On October 10, 2003, she was appointed Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy in the Swedish Government... |
10 October 2003 | 6 October 2006 |
| Biståndsminister | Carin Jämtin Carin Jämtin Carin Jämtin is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and the party-Secretary of the Social Democratic Party since 26 March 2011. She was Minister for International Development Cooperation in the Swedish government between 2003 and 2006.-Early career:She has briefly studied at Stockholm... |
10 October 2003 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence (Sweden) The Ministry of Defence is a Swedish government ministry responsible for the national defence policy.The Ministry of Defence has existed in its present form since 1920... |
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| Minister for Defence, Head of the Ministry of Defence |
Thage G. Peterson Thage G. Peterson Thage Edvin Gerhard Peterson is a Swedish politician .-Political career:*1971–1998: member of parliament*1982–1988: Minister for Industry*1988: Minister for Justice... |
7 October 1994 | 1997 |
| Björn von Sydow Björn von Sydow Björn Gustaf von Sydow was the speaker of the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament. He held this office following the 2002 election, when he succeeded Birgitta Dahl, until he was replaced on 2 October 2006... |
1997 | 21 October 2002 | |
| Leni Björklund Leni Björklund Leni Christina Elisabeth Björklund is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She served as Minister for Defence from 2002 to 2006.Leni Björklund grew up in Örebro. She graduated from Uppsala University with a B.A... |
21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Ministry of Health and Social Affairs Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (Sweden) The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is the ministry in the government of Sweden responsible for policies related to social welfare: financial security, social services, medical and health care, health promotion and the rights of children and disabled people.The Ministry of Health and Social... |
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| Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Head of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs |
Margot Wallström Margot Wallström Margot Elisabeth Wallström is a Swedish social democratic, currently holding the job as . Prior to this post, she served as European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy... |
1996 | 1998 |
| Anders Sundström | 1998 | 1998 | |
| Maj-Inger Klingvall (acting) | 1998 | 1998 | |
| Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist is a Swedish politician. He served as chairman of the youth organization of the Swedish Social Democrats from 1972 to 1978, and then worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief... |
1998 | 1 October 2004 | |
| Berit Andnor Berit Andnor Berit Andnor is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Social Affairs of Sweden 2004–2006.Since October 2006 she is the chairman of the Riksdags committee on the constitution.... |
2004 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Socialförsäkringsminister | Maj-Inger Klingvall | 1996 | 14 September 1999 |
| Ingela Thalén | 14 September 1999 | 10 October 2002 | |
| Barn- och familjeminister | Berit Andnor Berit Andnor Berit Andnor is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Social Affairs of Sweden 2004–2006.Since October 2006 she is the chairman of the Riksdags committee on the constitution.... |
21 October 2002 | 2004 |
| Folkhälso- och socialtjänstminister | Morgan Johansson | 21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 |
| Vård- och äldreomsorgsminister | Ylva Johansson Ylva Johansson Ylva Julia Margareta Johansson is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Health and Elderly Care in the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the Swedish government until the election 2006.Ylva Johansson studied at Lund University and the Stockholm Institute of Education... |
2004 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Communications | |||
| Minister of Communications | Ines Uusmann Ines Uusmann Ines Junéa Uusmann, born Johansson October 30, 1948 in Rolfstorp, Sweden is a Swedish politician.She started her career as a trade union activist and became an MP in 1990. She became communication minister in 1994, a post she would hold until 1998, when she left parliament... |
7 October 1994 | 1998 |
| Björn Rosengren Björn Rosengren Björn Folke Rosengren, born 14 April 1942 in Täby, county of Stockholm; Swedish, active in the labour union and a Social Democratic politician; chairman of the Swedish community salaried employees' association 1976-1982 and the white-collar's central organisation TCO 1982–1994 , county governor in... (acting) |
1998 | 1998 | |
| Ministry of Finance Ministry of Finance (Sweden) The Ministry of Finance is a Swedish government ministry responsible for matters relating to economic policy, the central government budget, taxes, banking, security and insurance, international economic work, central, regional and local government.... |
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| Minister of Fininace | Erik Åsbrink Erik Åsbrink Erik Åsbrink is a Swedish politician and former minister in two Social Democratic governments led by Ingvar Carlsson and Göran Persson. Later Åsbrink took part in shaping the informal guidelines called the 'business code of ethics'.- External links :* at the Riksdag website... |
1996 | 12 April 1999 |
| Bosse Ringholm Bosse Ringholm Bo "Bosse" Ingvar Karchimirer Ringholm is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He held the titles of Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Policy Coordination, and Minister for Sport in the Persson administration.- Career :Ringholm was born in Falköping, a town in the west of... |
12 April 1999 | 21 October 2004 | |
| Pär Nuder Pär Nuder Pär Anders Nuder is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was the Minister of Finance between November 1, 2004 and October 6, 2006.Pär Nuder was born in Täby north of Stockholm, but grew up in Österåker, where he still resides... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Minister of Taxes | Thomas Östros Thomas Östros Thomas Östros is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Education from 1998 to 2004 and Minister for Industry and Trade from 2004 to 2006... |
1996 | 1998 |
| Kommun- och bostadsminister | Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist is a Swedish politician. He served as chairman of the youth organization of the Swedish Social Democrats from 1972 to 1978, and then worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief... |
1998 | 1998 |
| Lars-Erik Lövdén | 1999 | 21 October 2004 | |
| Minister for International Monetary Exchange | Gunnar Lund Gunnar Lund Nils Gunnar Wiggo Lund, born 26 July 1947. Swedish diplomat and politician. Married to Kari Lotsberg. Three children: Gustav Harald and Ingrid .... |
21 October 2002 | 2004 |
| Kommun- och finansmarknadsminister | Sven-Erik Österberg Sven-Erik Österberg Sven-Erik Österberg is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and former minister of the Government of Sweden.... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Education, Research and Culture | |||
| Minister of Education | Carl Tham | 7 October 1994 | 1998 |
| Thomas Östros Thomas Östros Thomas Östros is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Education from 1998 to 2004 and Minister for Industry and Trade from 2004 to 2006... |
1998 | 21 October 2004 | |
| Minister of Education and Culture | Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson between 1996 and 2006.-Biography:... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 |
| Skolminister | Ylva Johansson Ylva Johansson Ylva Julia Margareta Johansson is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Health and Elderly Care in the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the Swedish government until the election 2006.Ylva Johansson studied at Lund University and the Stockholm Institute of Education... |
7 October 1994 | 1998 |
| Ingegerd Wärnersson | 1998 | 2002 | |
| Ibrahim Baylan Ibrahim Baylan Ibrahim Baylan, is a Swedish politician and a member of the Swedish Social Democratic Party. He was Minister for Schools in the cabinet of Göran Persson from 2004 to 2006 and was replaced by Jan Björklund of the Liberal People's Party following the defeat of the Social Democrats in the 2006 election... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Förskole- och ungdomsminister, minister för vuxnas lärande | Lena Hallengren Lena Hallengren Lena Hallengren is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She has been a member of the Riksdag since 2006.-External links:* at the Riksdag website... |
21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Agriculture | |||
| Minister of Agriculture | Annika Åhnberg | 1996 | 1998 |
| Minister of Agriculture and Gender Equality | Margareta Winberg Margareta Winberg Gun Margareta Winberg is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. Winberg held various ministerial posts in the Third cabinet of Ingvar Carlsson and Cabinet of Göran Persson from 1994 to 2003, and was Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden from 2002 to 2003... |
1998 | 21 October 2002 |
| Jordbruks- och konsumentminister | Ann-Christin Nykvist Ann-Christin Nykvist Ann-Christin Nykvist, born in Stockholm April 4, 1948, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs in the Cabinet of Göran Persson. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the Stockholm School of Economics. Prior to her appointment... |
21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Employment Ministry of Employment (Sweden) The Ministry of Employment is a ministry in the Swedish government responsible for labour market and working life policy.The ministry offices are located at Jakobsgatan 26 in central Stockholm.- History :... |
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| Arbetsmarknadsminister | Margareta Winberg Margareta Winberg Gun Margareta Winberg is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. Winberg held various ministerial posts in the Third cabinet of Ingvar Carlsson and Cabinet of Göran Persson from 1994 to 2003, and was Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden from 2002 to 2003... |
1996 | 1998 |
| Björn Rosengren Björn Rosengren Björn Folke Rosengren, born 14 April 1942 in Täby, county of Stockholm; Swedish, active in the labour union and a Social Democratic politician; chairman of the Swedish community salaried employees' association 1976-1982 and the white-collar's central organisation TCO 1982–1994 , county governor in... (acting) |
1998 | 1998 | |
| Jämställdhets- och arbetsrättsminister | Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Communications and Regional Policy in the Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications until 2006.... |
1996 | 1998 |
| Ministry of the Interior | |||
| Minister of the Interior | Jörgen Andersson | 1996 | 1998 |
| Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist is a Swedish politician. He served as chairman of the youth organization of the Swedish Social Democrats from 1972 to 1978, and then worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief... (acting) |
1998 | 1998 | |
| Lars-Erik Lövdén | 1998 | 1998 | |
| Integrations-, idrotts-, ungdoms- och konsumentminister | Leif Blomberg | 1996 | 2 March 1998 |
| Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist Lars Engqvist is a Swedish politician. He served as chairman of the youth organization of the Swedish Social Democrats from 1972 to 1978, and then worked as a journalist and editor-in-chief... |
1998 | 1998 | |
| Ministry of Culture Ministry of Culture (Sweden) The Ministry of Culture is a ministry within the government of Sweden responsible for culture policy. The ministry is headed by the Minister for Culture, currently Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth .... |
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| Minister of Culture | Marita Ulvskog Marita Ulvskog Marita Ulvskog is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was a member of the Riksdag 1998-2009. She was the Swedish Minister for Home Affairs from 1994 to 1996 and Minister for Culture from 1996 to 2004... |
1996 | 13 September 2004 |
| Pär Nuder Pär Nuder Pär Anders Nuder is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was the Minister of Finance between November 1, 2004 and October 6, 2006.Pär Nuder was born in Täby north of Stockholm, but grew up in Österåker, where he still resides... (acting) |
13 September 2004 | 21 October 2004 | |
| Ministry of Integration, Sports and Youth Topics | Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Communications and Regional Policy in the Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications until 2006.... |
1998 | 2000 |
| Ministry of Sustainable Development | |||
| Minister of the Environment | Anna Lindh Anna Lindh Ylva Anna Maria Lindh was a Swedish Social Democratic politician, Chairman of the Social Democratic Youth League 1984-1990, Member of Parliament 1982-1985 and 1998-2003... |
7 October 1994 | 1998 |
| Kjell Larsson | 1998 | 15 October 2002 | |
| Lena Sommestad Lena Sommestad Lena Sommestad, born April 3, 1957 in Börje, Uppsala Municipality, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for the Environment in the Ministry of Sustainable Development in the Cabinet of Göran Persson 2002-2006.... |
21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Deputy Minister of the Environment | Lena Sommestad Lena Sommestad Lena Sommestad, born April 3, 1957 in Börje, Uppsala Municipality, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for the Environment in the Ministry of Sustainable Development in the Cabinet of Göran Persson 2002-2006.... |
2002 | 2002 |
| Samhällsbyggnadsminister | Mona Sahlin Mona Sahlin Mona Ingeborg Sahlin is a Swedish politician and the former leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.Sahlin has been a Member of Parliament, representing Stockholm County, from 1982 to 1996 and again since 2002. She has also held various ministerial posts in the Swedish government from 1990... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 |
| Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications | |||
| Minister of Enterprise, Energy and Communications | Anders Sundström | 1996 | 1998 |
| Björn Rosengren Björn Rosengren Björn Folke Rosengren, born 14 April 1942 in Täby, county of Stockholm; Swedish, active in the labour union and a Social Democratic politician; chairman of the Swedish community salaried employees' association 1976-1982 and the white-collar's central organisation TCO 1982–1994 , county governor in... |
1998 | 15 October 2002 | |
| Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson between 1996 and 2006.-Biography:... |
21 October 2002 | 21 October 2004 | |
| Thomas Östros Thomas Östros Thomas Östros is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. He was Minister for Education from 1998 to 2004 and Minister for Industry and Trade from 2004 to 2006... |
21 October 2004 | 6 October 2006 | |
| Handelsminister | Björn von Sydow Björn von Sydow Björn Gustaf von Sydow was the speaker of the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament. He held this office following the 2002 election, when he succeeded Birgitta Dahl, until he was replaced on 2 October 2006... |
1996 | 1997 |
| Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky Leif Pagrotsky, born October 20, 1951 in Gothenburg, is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, who had various posts in the government of Göran Persson between 1996 and 2006.-Biography:... |
1997 | 1998 | |
| Deputy Minister of Enterprise, Energy and Communications | Mona Sahlin Mona Sahlin Mona Ingeborg Sahlin is a Swedish politician and the former leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party.Sahlin has been a Member of Parliament, representing Stockholm County, from 1982 to 1996 and again since 2002. She has also held various ministerial posts in the Swedish government from 1990... |
1998 | 21 October 2002 |
| Minister for Infrastructure | Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing Ulrica Messing is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. She was Minister for Communications and Regional Policy in the Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications until 2006.... |
2000 | 6 October 2006 |
| Arbetslivsminister | Hans Karlsson Hans Karlsson Hans Karlsson is a Swedish Social Democratic politician. From 2002 to 2006, he served in the Cabinet of Göran Persson as Minister for Employment in the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications of the Swedish government... |
21 October 2002 | 6 October 2006 |
Suspected ballot rigging
After the 2002 elections, electoral workers in the StockholmStockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
area expressed concerns about how Social Democratic campaign workers had collected large amounts of voting cards from voters and voted on their behalf. To collect large amounts of voting cards and vote in such a way is unconstitutional and therefore gained some initial media attention. The county and city of Stockholm, governed by a coalition led by the Moderate Party
Moderate Party
The Moderate Party is a centre-right, liberal conservative political party in Sweden. The party was founded in 1904 as the General Electoral League by a group of conservatives in the Swedish parliament...
, became subject to change of leadership as a result of the election and the criticism was quickly silenced. The circumstances of the suspected ballot rigging was never investigated. There have been other cases that have led to evictions at 2002 elections for ballot rigging by Social democratic party members working in the election offices. Many reports of other ballot rigging have also been announced throughout the country by other parties but in lack of proof none has gone to court.
Handling of the Tsunami disaster
During 2005 a scandal erupted as a result of widespread discontent with the lack of government aid to Swedes who fell victims to the notorious Tsunami disaster, killing hundreds of Swedish tourists in December 2004. The criticism emerged early since the government refused to give clearance to prepared Swedish military rescue planes to aid in the rescue efforts in Asia. The planes were left stranded on Swedish airfields and Swedish tourists, in many cases severely injured, had to wait for the few crowded regular flights that were available back home to Sweden. A committee initiated an investigation in 2005 to shed some light on what really happened during the Christmas of 2004 and if anyone ever had noticed the early reports from the Swedish military intelligence offices. The scandal escalated into a case for the Swedish standing committee of constitution inqueries (constitutional court) as it became evident that Swedish government officials either lied or refused to answer properly to the questions asked by the investigators. In early 2006 the whole scandal reached its climax as the top-ministers, including the primeminister, were interrogated under trial-like circumstances broadcast live in Swedish television. There has also been suspicious deletion of communication traffic registers and e-mails regarding the time of this event. A directive was changed to delete this kind of data after a shorter time and after it had been done the directive was once again revised to its original writing. After the election and a new cabinet come to be in power. Backup tapes of the deleted information has now been found stored in a vault in the cellar.Persson accused of threatening TV4
During the live broadcast interrogations the CEO of the largest privately held Swedish TV-channel, Jan SchermanJan Scherman
Jan Scherman is a Swedish journalist and CEO for the Sweden-based TV company TV4 AB. He is active in political debate and was a major critic of the Göran Persson cabinet...
, claimed that primeminister Göran Persson
Göran Persson
Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as...
threatened him during the election campaign in 2002. According to Mr. Scherman, Persson said that "TV4 is investing heavy in a non-socialistic election victory", if the socialists wins you "will have a lots of enemies in Rosenbad
Rosenbad
Rosenbad is a building in central Stockholm, precinct of Norrmalm, designed by Art Nouveau architect Ferdinand Boberg and completed in 1902. It is located on Strömgatan on the North side of the river Norrström...
". The claims never gained as much public interest as did the other scandals, even though the accusations enhanced the image of Mr. Persson trying to gain control of the major free media companies. In Sweden, the Swedish Television, SVT
Sveriges Television
Sveriges Television AB , Sweden's Television, is a national television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by a compulsory fee to be paid by all television owners...
, with the other two large TV-channels, SVT1 and SVT2, is connected to the government and Social Democrats hold key positions among the board of directors. Björn Rosengren
Björn Rosengren
Björn Folke Rosengren, born 14 April 1942 in Täby, county of Stockholm; Swedish, active in the labour union and a Social Democratic politician; chairman of the Swedish community salaried employees' association 1976-1982 and the white-collar's central organisation TCO 1982–1994 , county governor in...
, Social Democrat, former Minister of Enterprise and close friend of Göran Persson, has rapidly gained an influential position in the Swedish media company MTG
Modern Times Group
Modern Times Group is a Swedish media company. MTG was formed out of the media holdings of investment company Kinnevik, which in 1997 was distributed to the company stockholders. Among the assets were Viasat and Metro International...
which in turn owns TV-channels and newspapers such as Metro International
Metro International
Metro International is a Swedish media company based in Luxembourg that publishes the Metro newspapers. Metro International's advertising sales have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 41% since launch of the first newspaper edition in 1995. It is a freesheet, meaning that distribution is...
.
Defamation campaign in 2006
In 2006 an extensive e-mail based defamation campaign primarily targeting the family of Swedish leading opposition politician Fredrik ReinfeldtFredrik Reinfeldt
John Fredrik Reinfeldt is the Prime Minister of Sweden, leader of the liberal conservative Moderate Party and former President of the European Council...
was revealed in Swedish media. The content of the letters written were rumours about irregularities or illegal actions claimed to have been performed by Fredrik Reinfeldt himself or his close relatives. According to computer specialists the source of the campaign had been tracked down to computers located at the Social Democratic HQ in central Stockholm. Initially spokespersons of the Social Democratic Party denied all involvement in the defamation but were later forced to confess that one of their employees had written the letters as evidence became overwhelming. The case was reported to the police by the Moderate Party but was closed a few days later since it was considered a private law-issue.
The Pirate Bay Affair
The raid of 31 May 2006 on The Pirate Bay ISP PRQ is thought to be a direct result of minister rule by the justice minister Thomas BodströmThomas Bodström
Thomas Lennart Bodström is a Swedish politician and member of the Swedish Social Democratic Party. He was the Swedish Minister for Justice in the two last succeeding governments of the Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, from 2000 to 2006. Since October 2006 until October 2010 he was the chairman...
. As a result he is now the subject of an investigation by the Constitutional Committee. The 'interference' in the independent working of the business of authorities such as the police, called 'ministerstyre', is strictly forbidden in Swedish law. As media requested to see e-mails that could be relevant to the matter they was denied around 700 of the 900 e-mails requested due to top secret declaration even though the government promised everything would be open for investigation. When asked why the e-mails had been declared top secret Thomas Bodström stated that they could not be shown because of the secrecy declaration. The government itself decided what will be top secret.
Minister of foreign affairs resigns
In the aftermaths of criticism following on the Tsunami disaster, the harshly criticised Swedish minister of foreign affairs, Laila FreivaldsLaila Freivalds
Laila Ligita Freivalds is a Swedish Social Democratic politician and a former Swedish Minister for Justice, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister....
, managed to maintain her office. However in 2006 another embarrassing scandal erupted with its roots in Denmark where paintings of the Muslim prophet Muhammed were published during the fall of 2005. A Swedish right-wing political newspaper decided to publish them as well on the Internet edition of their publication, the webpage however was quickly closed down by the ISP after intervention from the Swedish Security Service and the Swedish office of foreign affairs. The close down became subject to much debate and some journalists compared it to the censorship of anti-German articles during WWII. Mrs. Freivalds denied at first all involvement in the case, but was forced to confess as official reports clearly pointed out her central role in the closing of the webpage. The political pressure became too much and primeminister Göran Persson
Göran Persson
Hans Göran Persson was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1996 to 2006 and the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party from 1996 to 2007. Conceding defeat in the September 2006 general election, he announced that he would resign as party leader, and Mona Sahlin was elected to succeed him as...
, flanked by Mrs. Freivalds herself, chose to briefly declare the resignation of his minister of foreign affairs under a short press conference. That Freivalds did not declare the expected news herself, despite the fact that she was obviously present on the press conference, quickly spurred discussions about whether she resigned voluntarily or actually got dismissed by the primeminister.