Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden)
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The office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs has existed in Sweden since 1809, its creation was a result of the constitutional Instrument of Government promulgated in the same year. Until 1876 the office was called Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs (Swedish: utrikesstatsminister), similar to the office of Prime Minister for Justice (Swedish: justitiestatsminister). However both offices were Prime Ministers in name only, and in reality they were no more than heads of their respective ministries.
In 1876 the office proper of Prime Minister of Sweden was created and at the same time the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs was nominally demoted to a mere Minister. The holder of the office did however continue to be styled as "Your excellency", until 1974 when the new Instrument of Government came into force. Before the parliamentary breakthrough in the early 20th century, that title had been granted exclusively to members of the most prominent noble families.
[edit] Prime Ministers for Foreign Affairs
| Name | In office | Political affiliation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lars von Engeström | 1809 – 1824 | ? | |
| Gustaf af Wetterstedt | 1824 – 1837 | ? | |
| Adolf Mörner (acting) | 1837 – 1838 | Mannerheim Party | |
| Adolf Stierneld | 1838 – 1840 | ? | |
| Albrecht Ihre | 1840 – 1848 (acting 1840 – 1842) |
? | |
| Adolf Stierneld | 1848 – 1856 | ? | |
| Elias Lagerheim | 1856 – 1858 | ? | |
| Ludvig Manderström | 1858 – 1868 | ? | |
| Carl Wachtmeister | 1868 – 1871 | ? | |
| Baltzar von Platen | 1871 – 1872 | independently liberal | |
| Oscar Björnstjerna | 1872 – 1876 | ? | |
