Margot Wallström facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margot Wallström
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Wallström in 2023
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden | |
| In office 3 October 2014 – 10 September 2019 |
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| Monarch | Carl XVI Gustaf |
| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Jan Björklund |
| Succeeded by | Morgan Johansson |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 3 October 2014 – 10 September 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Carl Bildt |
| Succeeded by | Ann Linde |
| Minister for Nordic Cooperation | |
| In office 25 May 2016 – 21 January 2019 |
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| Prime Minister | Stefan Löfven |
| Preceded by | Kristina Persson |
| Succeeded by | Ann Linde |
| United Nations Special Representative on ... in Conflict | |
| In office April 2010 – 22 June 2012 |
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| Secretary General | Ban Ki-moon |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Zainab Bangura |
| First Vice-President of the European Commission | |
| In office 22 November 2004 – 9 February 2010 |
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| President | José Manuel Barroso |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Ashton |
| European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy | |
| In office 22 November 2004 – 9 February 2010 |
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| President | José Manuel Barroso |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Maroš Šefčovič (Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration) |
| European Commissioner for the Environment | |
| In office 13 September 1999 – 11 November 2004 |
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| President | Romano Prodi |
| Preceded by | Ritt Bjerregaard |
| Succeeded by | Stavros Dimas |
| Minister for Consumer Affairs | |
| In office 4 October 1988 – 4 October 1991 |
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| Prime Minister | Ingvar Carlsson |
| Preceded by | Bengt K. Å. Johansson |
| Succeeded by | Inger Davidson |
| Member of the Riksdag | |
| In office 19 September 1982 – 11 September 1999 |
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| Constituency | Värmland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Margot Elisabeth Wallström
28 September 1954 Kåge, Sweden |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Spouse |
Håkan Olsson
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature |  |
Margot Elisabeth Wallström (born 28 September 1954) is a Swedish politician. She was the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden and the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2019. She also served as the Minister for Nordic Cooperation from 2016 to 2019.
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Early Life and Career
Margot Wallström was born in Skellefteå, Sweden. She finished high school but did not go to university. In 1973, she began working at the Alfa Savings bank in Karlstad. She worked there until 1979. Later, she worked as an accountant for a short time.
From 1993 to 1994, Wallström was the CEO of a local TV network in Värmland, Sweden. Before becoming an EU Commissioner, she was an executive vice-president at Worldview Global Media in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Political Journey
Margot Wallström has had a long career in politics. She worked in the Swedish parliament, the Swedish government, and the European Commission.
- At 25, she was elected to the Swedish parliament.
- She was the Environment Commissioner from 1999 to 2004.
- In the Swedish government, she held several important roles:
- Minister for Consumer Affairs, Women and Youth (1988–1991)
- Minister for Culture (1994–1996)
- Minister for Social Affairs (1996–1998)
EU Environment Commissioner (1999–2004)
As the Environment Commissioner, Wallström worked on a new rule called REACH. This rule made companies that make industrial chemicals test and register their products. This was to make sure the chemicals were safe before they could be used.
In 2004, she allowed a type of genetically modified corn from the United States to be imported. This corn was for animal feed. She said it had been tested very carefully and was safe.
First Vice-President of the European Commission (2004–2010)
In 2004, Wallström became the first member of the European Commission to have a blog. Her blog became a place where people discussed the rules and policies of the European Union.
After some countries voted against a new EU treaty, Wallström started "plan D." This plan was about democracy, dialogue, and debate. It aimed to help people feel more connected to the European Union. Because of her work, some people called her "the Citizens Commissioner." Others called her "the Propaganda Commissioner."
In 2006, Wallström suggested turning the EU's video service into an EU news agency. This idea was stopped after news organizations said it would harm the work of reporters.
After the 2006 Swedish election, Wallström was seen as a possible leader for her political party. However, she decided not to run for the position.
Between 2006 and 2007, Wallström was part of a group that helped rewrite the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. This new version became known as the Treaty of Lisbon.
In December 2006, a survey found Margot Wallström to be the most popular woman in Sweden. She was very humble about it, saying it might be "because I'm so far away."
Foreign Minister of Sweden (2014–2019)
On 3 October 2014, Margot Wallström became the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Swedish government.
On 30 October 2014, Wallström made Sweden the first EU country to officially recognize the State of Palestine. She hoped this would help bring peace by making the parties more equal. Because of this, Israel called back its ambassador.
In December 2014, Wallström spoke with the Russian ambassador. This was about a Russian military jet that caused a passenger plane to change its path. This event caused concern about Russian flights in the Nordic region.
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In January 2015, Wallström criticized Saudi Arabia for punishing a human rights activist. She called it a "cruel attempt to silence modern forms of expression."
In May 2015, the UN Secretary-General asked Wallström to join a group. This group worked on ideas for humanitarian aid.
One of Wallström's main goals was to get Sweden a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. This goal was achieved on 28 June 2016.
In February 2018, Wallström canceled a visit to Turkey. This was to protest Turkey's military actions in northern Syria.
Political Views
When her party formed the government in 2014, Wallström promised a "feminist" foreign policy. She has spoken out about the lack of women's rights in Saudi Arabia.
On 10 March 2015, Sweden announced it would end a weapons export agreement with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia reacted by stopping visas for Swedish business people. They also boycotted Wallström's speech at the Arab League.
Wallström has also asked for more articles on Wikipedia about topics related to women.
Other Activities
Margot Wallström has also been involved with various organizations and company boards.
Company Boards
- Edberg Dialog: Member of the Board
- Ica Gruppen: Member of the Board of Directors (2013–2014)
Non-Profit Organizations
- Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD): Member of the Board (since 2020)
- Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP): Member of the Advisory Board
- European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Member
- International Crisis Group: Member of the Board of Trustees
- International Gender Champions (IGC): Member
- Institute for Human Rights & Business (IHRB): Chair of the International Advisory Council
- Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice (MRFCJ): Member of the International Advisory Council
- Svenska PostkodStiftelsen: Member of the Board of Directors
Awards and Recognition
- 2001 – Honorary doctor at Chalmers University, Sweden
- 2002 – European Commissioner of the Year (by European Voice)
- 2004 – Honorary doctor at Mälardalen University, Sweden
- 2004 – IAIA Global Environmental Award
- 2005 – Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell
- 2008 – Göteborg Award for Sustainable Development
- 2009 – Monismanien Prize for Freedom of Speech
- 2016 – Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem, State of Palestine
Personal Life
Margot Wallström has been married to her husband, Håkan, since 1984. They have two sons. She lives in Stockholm and Värmland.
See also
- List of foreign ministers in 2017
- List of current foreign ministers
