Sweden's finance minister Elisabeth Svantesson's political achievements seem to have been appreciated by the international powers that be, and she is now the first Swede ever to be given the task of chairing the World Bank and IMF Development Committee.
Svantesson says she is "honoured" and is not worried that the new role will affect her work as finance minister.
– A lot of people in my constituency thought I should take the job, she told TV4 Nyhetsmorgon, explaining that through the EU and the G20 she has met many foreign leaders and developed good relations with them.
– Of course I will put all my focus and energy here at home, as I always do. But at a time like this, when so much is being fragmented and pulled apart, it is also important that we find each other and work together between our countries, she continues.
The World Bank and IMF claim to work for global economic development and stability, and the Joint Development Committee holds two major meetings a year - conferences that Svantesson will now be responsible for.
– Everything you do, both at home and internationally, is about relationships... Politics is for people and you do it with people. You do it together, you build relationships, you build bridges.
Billions of dollars for Ukraine
It is also worth noting that the World Bank Group is currently the largest channel for Swedish aid - not least to Ukraine during the ongoing war.
"Since the Russian invasion, the World Bank Group has so far mobilised more than $47 billion in financial support from donor countries, which is a significant part of the international financial support for Ukraine", the Telia-owned TV channel notes.
Svantesson will hold her new post for 2025 and 2026 - but will take office next month.
