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) |
| Spouse |
Matilda Kärnerup
(m. 2024) |
| Domestic partner | Louise Erixon (2011–2020) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Lund University |
Jimmie Åkesson, born on May 17, 1979, is a Swedish politician and author. 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, representing Jönköping County since 2010. Before leading the main party, he was the chairman of the Sweden Democratic Youth from 2000 to 2005.
Contents
Early Life and School
Jimmie Åkesson was born in Ivetofta, Sweden. He grew up in Sölvesborg, a town in Blekinge County. His father, Stefan, ran a business that installed floors. His mother, Britt Marie, worked helping people in a nursing home. Jimmie's parents divorced when he was young, and his mother mostly raised him.
From 1995 to 1998, Jimmie studied social sciences at Furulundsskolan Institute. In 1999, he started studying different subjects like political science and law at Lund University. He did not finish his degree there. Before becoming a full-time politician, Åkesson worked as a web developer. He even started a web design company with a friend.
Political Journey
Starting in Youth Politics
Jimmie 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 was the youth branch of the Sweden Democrats party. He has said that he was interested in the party's ideas about the European Union and immigration.
In 1995, he helped start a local group for the Sweden Democratic Youth. By 1997, he was elected as a deputy member of the party's national board.
Becoming a Local Leader
In 1998, when he was 19, Åkesson was elected as a councilman in Sölvesborg. This was his first public office. In the same year, he became the deputy chairman of the new Sweden Democratic Youth organization. He then served as its chairman from 2000 to 2005.
Leading the Sweden Democrats
In 2005, Jimmie Åkesson became the leader of the Sweden Democrats party. He won against the previous leader, Mikael Jansson. During his time at Lund University, Åkesson met other young members who wanted to change and modernize the party. They were sometimes called the "Scania Gang."
Entering the Swedish Parliament
In the 2010 Swedish general election, the Sweden Democrats won enough votes to enter the Riksdag for the first time. They received 5.70% of the votes and gained 20 seats. Åkesson was the first person on the party's list and became a Member of the Riksdag (MP).
After the 2014 Swedish general election, Åkesson took some time off due to burnout. Burnout means feeling very tired and stressed from too much work. He returned to his duties as party leader in March 2015.
In the 2018 Swedish general election, the Sweden Democrats continued to grow. They received 17.6% of the votes and won 62 out of 349 seats in the Riksdag.
The party gained even more support in the 2022 Swedish general election. Under Åkesson's leadership, the Sweden Democrats became the second-largest party in the Riksdag.
In August 2023, the Nobel Foundation invited Åkesson to the annual Nobel Banquet for the first time. This was a significant event, as he had not been invited before.
Life Outside Politics
Jimmie Åkesson was previously engaged to Louise Erixon. They have a son, who was born in 2013. Louise Erixon was the mayor of Sölvesborg from 2019 to 2022. The couple separated in 2020.
Since 2022, Åkesson has been in a relationship with Matilda Kärnerup, a nutritionist. They got married in 2024.
Outside of his political work, Åkesson is also a musician. He plays keyboard and bass guitar for a rock group called Bedårande Barn. He has also performed with the band Ultima Thule. Åkesson lives in Sölvesborg. His main hobbies are playing golf and watching football. He supports the football team Mjällby AIF.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmie Åkesson para niños
