Sweden welcomes trade unionist as prime minister

Former president of Swedish union IF Metall Stefan Löfven is set to become the next prime minister of Sweden. As leader of the social democrats Stefan Löfven saw his party win the national elections on 14 September.

Stefan Löfven, Sweden's next prime minister.

The election results mean a return to a socialist government after eight years of conservative rule in Sweden.

A welder by trade, Löfven rose from the ranks of membership of IndustriALL Global Union affiliate IF Metall to become president of one of Sweden’s largest trade unions.  He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the International Metal Workers’ Federation (IMF).

In the opening speech at IndustriALL’s founding congress in Copenhagen 2012, Stefan Löfven said:

“Wherever there is a political discussion, workers’ voice should be heard and respected. I’m still one of you, I’ll always be.”

IndustriALL general secretary Jyrki Raina says:

“We congratulate our comrade on this huge achievement and we are proud to see a trade unionist run a country. Whatever challenges lie ahead, Stefan is a highly experienced negotiator with strong democratic roots.”

source:::http://www.industriall-union.org