Margot Wallström

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Margot Elisabeth Wallström (born 28 September 1954) is a Swedish Social Democratic politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy. She is also the first of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission.

Contents 1 Political Career 2 Potential Party Leader 3 Recent events 4 Curriculum Vitae 5 External links 6 Footnotes

[edit] Political Career

Wallström, a high school graduate, has had a long career in politics, in the Swedish parliament, the Swedish government and in the European Commission. She was Environment Commissioner from 1999-2004 and in the Swedish government she was Minister for Consumer Affairs, Women and Youth in 1988-1991, Minister for Culture in 1994-1996 and Minister for Social Affairs in 1996-1998. Wallström has also worked as the CEO of a regional TV network in Sweden and before taking up her appointment as Commissioner she was the executive vice-president of Worldview Global Media in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Wallström is married and has two children.

In 2004, Wallström became the first member of the European Commission to operate a blog. The comments section of her site quickly became a hotspot for arguments concerning the policies of the European Union. After the rejection of the European Constitution by French and Dutch voters, Wallström pushed forward her "plan D" (for democracy, dialogue and debate) to reconnect Citizens with the Union. ^[1]

[edit] Potential Party Leader

Following the 2006 election, where the Social Democratic Party lost power, former Prime Minister Göran Persson announced his withdrawal from politics in March 2007. Wallström was regarded as the favourite candidate to succeed Persson as Social Democratic party leader^[2], but made clear that she did not wish to be considered for the position^[3]. The post instead went to Mona Sahlin.

[edit] Recent events

Immediately after the election of Mona Sahlin as party leader, Wallström accepted a membership in a group working to develop political strategies for the upcoming election to the European Parliament. This was by Swedish liberal Carl B Hamilton (and later also Fredrik Reinfeldt) considered a breach of the oath every member of the European Commission gives, wich states that any member of the comission should work for the community's best interest with no influence from politicians. On March 19, the vice chief spokesman of the European Commission, Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen, stated that her new assignment was not in conflict with her commissioner position. The chief spokesman, Mikolaj Dowgielewicz, agreed.^[4][5]

[edit] Curriculum Vitae

Political career:

• 2004-present Member of the European Commission, First Vice President/Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy
• 1999-2004 Member of the European Commission, Environment
• 1996-1998 Minister for Social Affairs
• 1994-1996 Minister for Culture
• 1993- Member of the Executive Committee of the Swedish Social Democratic Party
• 1988-1991 Minister of Civil Affairs (Consumer Affairs, Women and Youth)
• 1979-1985 Member of Parliament
• 1974-1977 Ombudsman, Swedish Social Democratic Youth League

Employment:

• 1998-1999 Executive Vice-president, Worldview Global Media, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• 1993-1994 CEO, TV Värmland (Regional Television Network)
• 1986-1987 Senior Accountant, Alfa Savings bank, Karlstad
• 1977-1979 Accountant, Alfa Savings Bank, Karlstad

Education:

• 1973 Graduated from high school

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Archived website as Commissioner for the Environment
• Margot Wallström's Blog

[edit] Footnotes

Preceded by none	European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy 2004–2009	Succeeded by incumbent
Preceded by Loyola de Palacio, Neil Kinnock	Vice-President of the European Commission 2004–2009 (jointly held position)	Succeeded by incumbent
Preceded by Ritt Bjerregaard	European Commissioner for the Environment 1999–2004	Succeeded by Stavros Dimas
Preceded by Anita Gradin	Swedish European Commissioner 1999–2009	Succeeded by incumbent