A Swedish politician who has been the Prime Minister of Sweden since 2014 and the Leader of the Social Democrats since 2012.
Background
Löfvén was born 21 July 1957 in Stockholm. He was placed in an orphanage 10 months after his birth. Löfvén was later looked after by a foster family from Sunnersta, Sollefteå. According to the agreement with this family, his birth mother would regain custody of him when she was able to; however, this did not happen. After meeting his brother, Stefan found out that his last name is Löfvén.
His foster father Ture Melander was a lumberjack and then a factory worker, while his foster mother, Iris Melander, worked as a health visitor.
Education
He studied at Sollefteå High School before going on a welding course for 48 weeks at AMU in Kramfors.
Löfvén studied social work at Umeå University, but dropped out after a year and a half.
He studied at different trade union courses.
Career
After completing his compulsory military service in the Swedish Air Force in the F 4 Frösön airbase between 1976-77, Löfvén began his career in 1978 as a welder at Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik. Two years later he was chosen as the group's union representative, and went on to hold a succession of union posts. In 1995 he started as an employed ombudsman in the Swedish Metalworkers' Union, working in the areas of contract negotiations and international affairs. In 2001 he was elected vice-chairman of the Metalworkers' Union, and in November 2005 was elected to be the first chairman of the newly formed trade union IF Metall.
In January 2012, following the resignation of Håkan Juholt, it was reported that Löfven was being considered as his successor. On 26 January 2012 the executive board nominated Löfvén to become the party's new leader. On 27 January 2012, Löfvén was elected Leader in a party-room ballot. Löfvén was confirmed as party leader at the party's annual congress on 4 April 2013.
Löfvén led his party through the 2014 European Parliament election where the Social Democrats retained their position as the largest party from Sweden in the European Parliament. However, the election results at 24.19% was a slightly inferior than the result in 2009 European Parliament election, the party's seats in the European Parliament was reduced from six to five and the party's results was the lowest in an election at the national level since universal suffrage was introduced in 1921.
Löfvén led his party through the 2014 general election which resulted in a hung parliament. The election result of 31.0% - up from 30.7% - was slightly better than the result in 2010 general election but the result was also the party's second worst result in a general election to the Riksdag since universal suffrage was introduced in 1921.
He announced that he would form a minority coalition government consisting his own party and the Green Party. On 2 October 2014, the Riksdag approved Löfven to become the country's Prime Minister, and he took office on 3 October 2014 alongside his Cabinet. The Social Democrats and the Green Party voted in favour of Löfvén becoming Prime Minister, while close ally the Left Party abstained. The oppositional Alliance-parties also abstained while far-right Sweden Democrats voted against.
Löfvén has also expressed a desire for bipartisan agreement between the Government and the oppositional Alliance parties and together they have marked three areas where enhanced cooperation will be initiated. The three areas area the pension system, future energy development, security- and defence policy.
His wife, Ulla, was responisble for contacts with a Church of Sweden, wile she was working as assistant of the party secretary.
Politics
Löfvén has been a member of the Social Democrats since the age of 13 and was active in SSU, the youth league, in his teens. Löfvén was elected to the executive board of the Social Democrats in 2006, shortly after becoming chairman of trade union IF Metall.
In January 2012, following the resignation of Håkan Juholt, it was reported that Löfven was being considered as his successor. On 26 January 2012 the executive board nominated Löfvén to become the party's new leader. On 27 January 2012, Löfvén was elected Leader in a party-room ballot. Löfvén was confirmed as party leader at the party's annual congress on 4 April 2013.
Löfvén led his party through the 2014 European Parliament election where the Social Democrats retained their position as the largest party from Sweden in the European Parliament. However, the election results at 24.19% was a slightly inferior than the result in 2009 European Parliament election, the party's seats in the European Parliament was reduced from six to five and the party's results was the lowest in an election at the national level since universal suffrage was introduced in 1921.
Views
He wants a new Era to come - an Era of Solidarity. People must be the strongest thing in country and with all of this it can be possible to move forward to a better future.
It must be noticed, that being raised in a step family with 2 other children influenced much on Stefan, so the thoughts about a solidarity were born.
Quotations:
“Our country must be a leading and inspirational force in the world. A country in which we close gaps and fulfil the promises of freedom we have made to our children, where we invest together in people and the environment, in knowledge and competitiveness, in security in the present and hope for the future.”
Membership
IF Metall
,
Sweden
January 1, 2006 - January 27, 2012
Swedish Armed Forces
,
Sweden
1976 - 1977
Swedish Metalworkers' Union
,
Sweden
1995 - 2005
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Long biography in Financial Times and over 600 aricles were written only in 2014.
Interests
Theatre, cooking, household, welding.
Writers
The Swedish Prime Minister is a person who reads a lot. There are no certain authors to mention, the question is about how much pleasure and experience he can get from reading.
Sport & Clubs
Löfven is actively involved in different sports. For exemple: football, hockey, jiu-jitsu.
Athletes
Fully supports national athletes.
Music & Bands
Stefan's favorite music is Opera.
Connections
Married in November 2003 with Ulla Margareta Löfvén. Doesn't have children.