Ann Linde
Ann Linde | |
|---|---|
 Ann Linde in September 2016 | |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| Assumed office 10 September 2019 | |
| Monarch | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven Magdalena Andersson |
| Preceded by | Margot Wallström |
| Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Edi Rama |
| Minister for Nordic Cooperation | |
| In office 21 January 2019 – 10 September 2019 | |
| Monarch | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Margot Wallström |
| Succeeded by | Anna Hallberg |
| Minister for Foreign Trade | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 10 September 2019 | |
| Monarch | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Mikael Damberg |
| Succeeded by | Anna Hallberg |
| Minister for EU Affairs | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 21 January 2019 | |
| Monarch | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Birgitta Ohlsson (2010–14) |
| Succeeded by | Hans Dahlgren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ann Christin Linde 4 December 1961 Helsingborg, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Mats Eriksson (1989–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Politician |
Ann Christin Linde (born 4 December 1961) is a Swedish politician of the Social Democratic Party[1] who has been serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Stefan Löfven since 10 September 2019.[2][3]
Linde previously served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Minister for Nordic Cooperation.[4] Before that she was the Minister for European Union Affairs and Trade for Löfven Cabinet since 25 May 2016.[5]
Political career[]
Throughout the 1990s, Linde worked in government offices, including the Ministry Secretary of Civil Affairs and the political advisor of the EU and Trade Minister Mats Hellström of Foreign Affairs and of Defense Minister Björn von Sydow on Ministry of Defence.[6]
Linde worked as international secretary at the Social Democratic Party in Sweden from 2000 to 2013. From 2013 to 2014, she was the head of the International Department of the European Socialist Party (PES) in Brussels, an umbrella organization for all social-democratic parties in the EU.[3]
From 2014 until 2016, Linde served as State Secretary for the Ministry of Justice[7] In this capacity, she worked with Interior Minister Anders Ygeman.
Under Linde's leadership, Sweden's government decided in March 2020 to send a rapid reaction force of up to 150 troops and helicopters to Mali to join French-led Takuba task force in fighting militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State in the Sahel region of North Africa.[8]
When Sweden took over the rotating Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2021, Linde became the organization's Chairperson-in-Office.[9][10]
Political positions[]
When a parliamentary majority in favour of Sweden expressing the option of joining NATO emerged in 2020, Linde rejected such plans and reiterated her conviction that the country was best served by independence from alliances.[11]
Controversies[]
Headscarf controversy[]
Linde attracted criticism for wearing a headscarf during a visit by a government delegation to Tehran in 2017 when she met president Hassan Rouhani.[12]
Transport Agency security breaches[]
Being State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Linde was one of the first politicians in the Government Offices who received information from the Security Department that there was a potential leak of sensitive information from the Transport Agency. The agency had outsourced parts of its IT services, including a data base with information about holders of driving licences, as well as about the Swedish road infrastructure.[13]
Islamic revolution celebration[]
As minister for foreign trade, Linde took part in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Linde's participation was criticized by Iranian community organizations in Sweden, who argued that Linde's participation in the celebration was an insult to all Iranians living in Sweden who had to flee the Islamic regime.[14]
Other activities[]
- Anna Lindh Memorial Fund, Member of the Board of Directors (since 2016)[15]
- Olof Palme International Center, Member of the Board (2001–2013)[16]
- Joint Committee of the Nordic Social Democratic Labour Movement (SAMAK), Member of the Working Group on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (2001–2013)[16]
Honours[]
Recognition[]
- 2011 – "Friend of Palestine of the Year", awarded by a Palestinian community organization in Sweden (Palestinska föreningen)[17]
Foreign honours[]
Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (16 November 2021)[18]
Personal life[]
Since 1989, Linde has been married to Mats Eriksson.[19] She has two children.[19]
References[]
- ^ Swedish trade minister Linde shifting to Foreign affairs Yahoo News Retrieved 11 September 2019
- ^ "Swedish PM appoints trade minister Linde as new foreign minister". CNA. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
- ^ a b Anna Ringstrom (September 9, 2019), Swedish trade minister Linde shifting to foreign affairs: TV Reuters.
- ^ Eklundh, Johanna. ""En av de svagaste regeringarna sedan efterkrigstiden"". SVT Nyheter. Retrieved 22 May 2020
- ^ "Ann Linde, S, är ny EU- och handelsminister". Dagens Nyheter. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Swedish trade minister Ann Linde to become new Foreign minister Euronews Retrieved 11 September 2019
- ^ "Statssekreterare blir EU-minister". VLT. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ Simon Johnson (March 16, 2020), Sweden says to send up to 150 special forces troops to Mali Reuters Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Francois Murphy (August 28, 2020), OSCE chairman renews offer to facilitate dialogue in Belarus Reuters.
- ^ Sweden takes over OSCE Chair Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), press release of January 1, 2021.
- ^ Anna Ringstrom (December 9, 2020), Majority in Swedish parliament backs 'NATO option' after Sweden Democrats shift Reuters.
- ^ "Sweden defends officials wearing headscarves in Iran". BBC News. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Roger Haddad: Ann Linde kände till Transportstyrelsens IT-brister 2015". SVT Nyheter. Sveriges Television. 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Ann Lindes deltagande i firande av den "Islamiska" revolutionen är ett hån mot iranier". FFFI (in Swedish). 16 February 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ Board of Directors Anna Lindh Memorial Fund.
- ^ a b Official CV of Ann Linde Government of Sweden.
- ^ "Prisad Palestinavän". DN.SE (in Swedish). 22 November 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Royal Decree 1012/2021" (PDF).
- ^ a b "The 1st Politician of the Year". Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
External links[]
Media related to Ann Linde at Wikimedia Commons
- Living people
- 1961 births
- Women government ministers of Sweden
- Swedish Ministers for Trade
- Swedish Ministers for Foreign Affairs
- Female foreign ministers
- Swedish Social Democratic Party politicians