Jimmie Åkesson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmie Åkesson
SD
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Åkesson in 2022
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| Leader of the Sweden Democrats | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Mikael Jansson |
| Member of the Riksdag | |
| Assumed office 4 October 2010 |
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| Constituency | Jönköping County |
| Chairman of the Sweden Democratic Youth | |
| In office 21 June 2000 – 7 May 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Jimmy Windeskog |
| Succeeded by | Martin Kinnunen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Per Jimmie Åkesson
17 May 1979 Bromölla, Sweden |
| Political party | Sweden Democrats |
| Other political affiliations |
Moderate (MUF) (until 1995) |
| Domestic partner | Louise Erixon (2011–2020) Matilda Kärnerup (2022–) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Lund University |
Jimmie Åkesson (born May 17, 1979) is a Swedish politician. He has been the leader of the Sweden Democrats political party since 2005. He is also a member of the Riksdag, which is the Swedish parliament. He has represented Jönköping County in the Riksdag since 2010. Before becoming party leader, he led the Sweden Democratic Youth group from 2000 to 2005.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jimmie Åkesson was born in Ivetofta, Sweden. He grew up in Sölvesborg in Blekinge County. His father worked in floor laying, and his mother was a care provider. His parents divorced when he was young, and he was mostly raised by his mother.
From 1995 to 1998, Åkesson studied social sciences at Furulundsskolan Institute. In 1999, he started studying at Lund University. He studied subjects like political science and economics. He did not finish his degree but became very interested in politics during this time. Before working full-time in politics, Åkesson was a web developer. He even started his own web design company.
Political Journey
Starting in Youth Politics
Åkesson first joined the youth group of the Moderate Party. However, he later left them to join the Sweden Democratic Youth Association in 1995. This group is the youth branch of the Sweden Democrats.
In 1995, he helped start a local chapter of the Sweden Democratic Youth Association. By 1997, he was elected as a deputy member of the party's main board. He was especially interested in the party's views on the European Union and immigration.
In 1998, when he was just 19, Åkesson was elected as a councilman in Sölvesborg Municipality. This was his first public office. The same year, he became deputy chairman of the new Sweden Democratic Youth group. He then served as its chairman from 2000 to 2005.
Becoming Party Leader
In 2005, Åkesson became the leader of the Sweden Democrats party. He won against the previous leader, Mikael Jansson. As leader of the youth group and then the main party, Åkesson worked to make the party's policies and image more moderate.
During his university years, Åkesson met other young politicians. They worked together to modernize the Sweden Democrats. This group aimed to lead the party and change its direction.
In the 2010 Swedish general election, the Sweden Democrats entered the Riksdag for the first time. They received 5.70% of the votes, which gave them 20 seats. Åkesson was elected as a Member of the Riksdag (MP).
After the 2014 Swedish general election, Åkesson took a break from his duties. He announced he was on sick leave due to burnout. In early 2015, he was named Sweden's most important opinion leader for 2014 by a Swedish magazine.
On March 27, 2015, Åkesson announced his return to his role as party leader. He started back in a slightly reduced role at first.
In the 2018 Swedish general election, the Sweden Democrats gained more support. They received 17.6% of the votes. This made them the third-largest party in the Riksdag, with 62 out of 349 seats.
The party continued to grow in the 2022 Swedish general election. Under Åkesson's leadership, the Sweden Democrats became the second-largest party in the Riksdag. They even overtook the Moderate Party.
In August 2023, the Nobel Foundation invited Åkesson to the annual Nobel Banquet. This was the first time he received an official invitation.
Personal Life
Jimmie Åkesson was engaged to Louise Erixon. She was a former parliamentary aide and later became the mayor of Sölvesborg. They have one son, who was born in 2013. They separated in 2020.
Since 2022, Åkesson has been in a relationship with Matilda Kärnerup. They got married in 2024.
Outside of politics, Åkesson enjoys music. He plays keyboard for a rock group called Bedårande Barn. He lives in Sölvesborg. His hobbies include playing golf and watching football. He supports the football team Mjällby AIF.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmie Åkesson para niños
