Margot Elisabeth Wallström (born 28 September 1954 in Skellefteå) 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.

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. Her work on such platforms, including the backing of the oneseat.eu petition, has given her a good reputation in some quarters, even being dubbed "the Citizens Commissioner".

Recent events

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, but made clear that she did not wish to be considered for the position. The post instead went to Mona Sahlin.

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, which states that any member of the commission 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.

In December 2006, Wallström was voted the most popular woman in Sweden, beating royals and athletes in a survey carried out by ICA-kuriren and Sifo. The previous year, 2005, she was second place. Wallström was modest in response stating that "it might be because I'm so far away".

As of November 16, 2007, Margot Wallström, became Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders Ministerial Initiative. This position was previously held by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.

Curriculum vitae

As of 2007

Political career:

• 2004-present First Vice President of the European Commission for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy
• 1999-2004 Member of the European Commission for the Environment (Prodi Commission)
• 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 Members of the Riksdag
• 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 and other:

• 2007 Foreword to Al Gore's Swedish translation of the book An Inconvenient Truth.
• 2005 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
• 2004 Book (together with MEP Göran Färm): THE PEOPLE’ S EUROPE or Why is it so hard to love the EU?
• 2004 Honorary doctor at Mälardalen University, Sweden
• 2004 IAIA Global Environmental Award
• 2002 European Commissioner of the Year (by European Voice)
• 2001 Honorary doctor at Chalmers University, Sweden
• 1973 Graduated from high school

External links

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

Footnotes