Olof Johansson
Encyclopedia
Sten Olof Håkan Johansson (born July 31, 1937) is a Swedish
politician, who was the leader of the Swedish Centre Party
from 1987 to 1998 and Minister for the Environment 1991-1994.
Olof Johansson was born in Ljungby
, Kronoberg County
. He studied at the Stockholm School of Economics
, and was the leader of the Centre Party youth organisation from 1969 to 1971. In 1971 he was elected a Member of the Swedish Parliament
, a position he held until 1976, and again 1978-1979 and 1982-1998. He held Cabinet posts in the centre-right governments 1976-1978 and 1979-1982. In 1987 he succeeded Karin Söder
, who stepped down due to health reasons, as the leader of the Centre Party. When the centre-right regained power in 1991, Olof Johansson became Minister for the Environment in the Carl Bildt
government, but left the post over his opposition to the construction of the Oresund Bridge
in the summer of 1994, shortly before the Social Democrats
regained power in the September elections.
After having seen his party doing badly in the elections of 1994 and still trailing in the polls less than a year before the upcoming 1998 elections, Olof Johansson stepped down as party leader, leaving the fate of the party in the hands of his little-known successor Lennart Daléus
, prompting the Centre Party to print election posters with a portrait of Daléus, simply saying "This is Lennart".
After his withdrawal from politics he has been appointed as Chairman of the board
of various institutions and companies. Most notably, he was the chairman of the Swedish state owned alcohol monopoly
company, Systembolaget
, between 2002 and 2009.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
politician, who was the leader of the Swedish Centre Party
Centre Party (Sweden)
The Centre Party is a centrist political party in Sweden. The party maintains close ties to rural Sweden and describes itself as "a green social liberal party". The ideology is sometimes called agrarian, but in a European context, the Centre Party can perhaps best be characterized as social...
from 1987 to 1998 and Minister for the Environment 1991-1994.
Olof Johansson was born in Ljungby
Ljungby Municipality
Ljungby Municipality is a municipality in Kronoberg County, southern Sweden, where the town Ljungby is seat.In 1971 the City of Ljungby was amalgamated with the rural municipalities surrounding it, thus creating the present municipality. In 1974 a minor adjustment of the boundaries took place...
, Kronoberg County
Kronoberg County
Kronoberg County is a County or län in southern Sweden. It borders the counties of Skåne, Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar and Blekinge. Its capital is the city Växjö.- Province :For History, Geography and Culture see: Småland...
. He studied at the Stockholm School of Economics
Stockholm School of Economics
The Stockholm School of Economics or Handelshögskolan i Stockholm is one of Northern Europe's leading business schools. Its Masters in Management program is ranked no. 2 in Northern Europe and no. 13 in Europe by the Financial Times...
, and was the leader of the Centre Party youth organisation from 1969 to 1971. In 1971 he was elected a Member of the Swedish Parliament
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
, a position he held until 1976, and again 1978-1979 and 1982-1998. He held Cabinet posts in the centre-right governments 1976-1978 and 1979-1982. In 1987 he succeeded Karin Söder
Karin Söder
Karin Anne Sofie Söder is a Swedish Centre politician. She was the first woman in Sweden to be elected the leader of a major political party. She headed the Swedish Centre Party from 1985 to 1987. She was also one of the first female foreign ministers in the world.-Biography:Söder was born in...
, who stepped down due to health reasons, as the leader of the Centre Party. When the centre-right regained power in 1991, Olof Johansson became Minister for the Environment in the Carl Bildt
Carl Bildt
, Honorary KCMG is a Swedish politician, diplomat and nobleman. Formerly Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991 to 1994 and leader of the liberal conservative Moderate Party from 1986 to 1999, Bildt has served as Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs since 6 October 2006...
government, but left the post over his opposition to the construction of the Oresund Bridge
Oresund Bridge
The Øresund or Öresund Bridge is a combined twin-track railway and dual carriageway bridge-tunnel across the Øresund strait.The bridge connects Sweden and Denmark, and it is the longest road and rail bridge in Europe. The Øresund Bridge also connects two major Metropolitan Areas: those of the...
in the summer of 1994, shortly before the Social Democrats
Swedish Social Democratic Party
The Swedish Social Democratic Workers' Party, , contesting elections as 'the Workers' Party – the Social Democrats' , or sometimes referred to just as 'the Social Democrats' and most commonly as Sossarna ; is the oldest and largest political party in Sweden. The party was founded in 1889...
regained power in the September elections.
After having seen his party doing badly in the elections of 1994 and still trailing in the polls less than a year before the upcoming 1998 elections, Olof Johansson stepped down as party leader, leaving the fate of the party in the hands of his little-known successor Lennart Daléus
Lennart Daléus
Lennart Daléus is a Swedish politician, who was the leader of the Swedish Centre Party from 1998 to 2001.More recently, Lennart Daléus works as the general secretary of the Swedish Greenpeace.-References:...
, prompting the Centre Party to print election posters with a portrait of Daléus, simply saying "This is Lennart".
After his withdrawal from politics he has been appointed as Chairman of the board
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of various institutions and companies. Most notably, he was the chairman of the Swedish state owned alcohol monopoly
Alcohol monopoly
An alcohol monopoly is a government monopoly on manufacturing and/or retailing of some or all alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine and spirits. It can be used as an alternative for total prohibition...
company, Systembolaget
Systembolaget
Systembolaget is a government owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden. It is the only retail store allowed to sell alcoholic beverages that contain more than 3.5% alcohol. Systembolaget also sells non-alcoholic beverages. To buy alcoholic beverages at Systembolaget one has to be 20 years of age or...
, between 2002 and 2009.