Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy (2022–2024)
On 18 October 2022,Malmer Stenergard was appointed Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy in the cabinet of Ulf Kristersson. This role was seen as critical since migration was one of the key areas the new government was set to focus on. [5]
In 2024,Malmer Stenergard announced that Sweden during that year had seen the lowest number of immigrants since 1997,and had for the first time in 50 years had more people migrating from Sweden than immigrating to Sweden. This was in line with the governments policy which she had implemented. [6]
Minister for Foreign Affairs (2024–present)
On 10 September 2024,prime minister Ulf Kristersson reshuffled his cabinet. During this reshuffle Malmer Stenergard was made Minister for Foreign Affairs succeeding Tobias Billström who had recently resigned. [7] During a press conference later the same day she said she would pursue a foreign policy that prioritized Sweden. [8]
On 3 October 2024 during a debate in the Riksdag regarding Sweden's decision to abstain from voting on a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the end of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories,a bag containing tomatoes and onions was hurled towards Malmer Stenergard from the Riksdag's public gallery. Malmer Stenergard retreated from the chamber following the event. The bag's contents had been smuggled in through the security controls by three pro-Palestine activists,by means of hiding them in their clothes. The activists were quickly apprehended by security and removed from the perimeters of the Riksdag. Malmer Stenergard called the event an attack on basic democratic values,a sentiment echoed by Speaker Andreas Norlén. [9] [10]
She and her Nordic counterparts signed a joint letter in late October condemning Israel's planned bill that would seek to ban the UNRWA from operating in the country and in effect the Palestinian areas. Furthermore,they urged the Knesset to reconsider passing the bill. [11]
Stenergaard called the March 2025 Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip "dangerous" and demanded an end to the violence. [12]
List of international trips made by Maria Malmer Stenergard
Since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs,Malmer Stenergard has made a number of international trips.
