Former speaker dead after a long illness • “Be prepared and calm before death”
The Social Democrat and former Speaker Birgitta Dahl is dead, the party announces.
– Through her work and her person, Birgitta Dahl was an important role model for me personally, as well as for many others. My thoughts are now with her relatives, says Magdalena Andersson (S).
Birgitta Dahl died on Tuesday evening. She was 87 years old.
“We can confirm that the former Prime Minister and Speaker of Sweden’s Riksdag Birgitta Dahl passed away yesterday at 6 p.m., as a result of a long-standing heart disease,” the Social Democrats announce.
The family: “Calm in the face of death”
Birgitta Dahl was born in 1937 and had a long career within the Social Democrats. She was a member of the Riksdag for 33 years, from 1969 until 2002. She has been Deputy Minister of Industry, Minister of the Environment and Energy and Speaker of the Riksdag between the years 1994 to 2002. Dahl is mainly known for having pushed through bans on babysitting, parental insurance and preschool for all .
“Mother had a bad heart for many years. We have therefore talked a lot about life ending at some point. For us in the family, it was clear that mother’s experience was that she lived a long, exciting and meaningful life,” says Dahl’s family.
“She felt that she had done her part and that she was done. She was prepared and calm in the face of death.”
Magdalena Andersson: “She was a forerunner”
Magdalena Andersson (S) comments on Dahl’s death with the words:
“It is with sadness that I heard that Birgitta Dahl has passed away. She was a forerunner. A respected and courageous politician, who was central to Sweden’s active stance on climate and environmental issues, and pushed through decisions that improved the lives of all women in Sweden.”
And there are more who pay tribute to Dahl’s political deeds, including member of parliament Gulan Avci (L).
“The memory of her is a combative politician who fought for important equality reforms. Thanks to her stubborn fight, more doors to the Riksdag were opened for female politicians who came after her,” she writes on X.
Even Riksdag member Ulla Andersson (V) draws Dahl’s attention to X.
“So sad, appreciated her so much and actually got to tell her. Thank you for everything.”
Former speaker Birgitta Dahl is dead.
Former speaker Birgitta Dahl is dead.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery / TT