Sweden appoints new foreign minister

Copenhagen, Denmark, September 10, 2024. Nearly a week after the position of foreign minister was left vacant due to an unexpected resignation, Sweden has appointed a new foreign minister. Forty-three-year-old Maria Malmer Stenergard has been appointed. She previously served as the minister of migration. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also made other adjustments to his center-right government as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

Johan Forssell, who previously served as the minister of development, takes over the migration portfolio. Benjamin Dousa becomes the minister of development. Jessica Rosencrantz is appointed as the new minister for EU affairs. They are all members of the conservative Moderate Party led by Kristersson. In addition, two Liberal Party ministers swap positions. Johan Pehrson becomes the minister of education and research, and Mats Pehrson becomes the minister of employment and integration.

In October 2022, Kristersson formed a center-right minority cabinet with the Moderate Party, the Liberal Party, and the Christian Democrats, relying on the support of the populist Sweden Democrats party with far-right roots. Kristersson announced the news when Swedish lawmakers returned to parliament after the summer recess. Former foreign minister Tobias Billström had led Sweden on its path to NATO membership and firmly supported Ukraine. He said he has resigned and has not decided on his future plans.