24, November 2021
Sweden’s parliament picks Magdalena Andersson as first female PM 0
Sweden’s parliament on Wednesday approved Magdalena Andersson as the country’s first female prime minister, tapping the finance minister who recently became the new leader of the Social Democratic party.
Andersson was tapped to replace Stefan Lofven as party leader and prime minister, roles he relinquished earlier this year.
The development marked a milestone for Sweden, viewed for decades as one of Europe’s most progressive countries when it comes to gender relations, but which had yet to have a woman in the top political post. Lofven’s government has describes itself as “feminist,” putting equality between women and men at the heart of national and international work.
In a speech to parliament, Amineh Kakabaveh, an independent lawmaker who supported Andersson, noted that Sweden is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of a decision to introduce universal and equal suffrage in the Scandinavian country.
“If women are only allowed to vote but are never elected to the highest office, democracy is not complete,” Kakabaveh who is of Iranian Kurdish descent, said.
“There is something symbolic in this decision,” she added.
In the 349-seat Riksdag, 117 lawmakers voted yes to Andersson, 174 rejected her while 57 abstained and one lawmaker was absent.
In all, the opposition cast 174 votes against Andersson but under the Swedish Constitution, prime ministers can be named and govern as long as a parliamentary majority — a minimum of 175 lawmakers — is not against them.
Lofven has been leading the Swedish government in a caretaking capacity until a new government is formed, something expected Friday. Andersson likely will form a two-party, minority government with her Social Democrats and the Green Party.
Andersson, 54, sought to secure the backing of the two smaller parties that supported Sweden’s previous center-left, minority government led by Lofven — the Left Party and the Center Party. Both abstained from voting against Andersson.
After days of talks, Andersson and the Left Party reached a deal to win the latter’s support. The deal focused on pensions and they on a supplement of of up to 1,000 kronor ($111) for about 700,000 pensioners on low incomes.
Source: AP
7, December 2021
Es ist vollbracht: Incoming German government signs coalition agreement 0
Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) signed a coalition deal on Tuesday that sets out how to accelerate a green transition and modernise Europe’s biggest economy when they take office this week.
The alliance between the unlikely bedfellows, the first such grouping at a national level, brings to an end 16 years of conservative-led government under Angela Merkel who did not stand for a fifth term in a September election.
The SPD’s Olaf Scholz is due to be elected chancellor by the Bundestag lower house of parliament and officially take office on Wednesday.
Under the logo “Dare More Progress”, leading members of all three parties signed the 177-page agreement in front of television cameras.
“This should be a morning for a new start,” Scholz said.
Greens election campaign manager Robert Heinrich tweeted “It’s done.”
FDP leader Christian Lindner said the last few weeks had been about talking and now it was time for action.
“From this week we want to work on making progress. We are under no illusion, we face big challenges,” he said.
The parties presented the agreement last month but needed members to approve it before signing it.
Democracy ‘binds us together’
Speaking to reporters at news conference in Berlin, Scholz said his new three-party government will focus on working with democracies around the world and praised US President Joe Biden for strengthening a community of democratic countries.
“It is now clear, what binds us together,” said Scholz.
His comments came days before Biden hosts a virtual summit on democracy focused on the challenges and opportunities facing democracies.
The US has invited more than 100 countries, including Taiwan, to the summit. Washington’s major rivals, China and Russia, have not been invited.
Confirming that his first foreign visit as chancellor would be to France, Scholz also stressed the importance of strengthening the European Union.
Source: REUTERS