"Arga Andersson" - Sveriges första kvinnliga statsminister

This study examines how a political leader’s personal style shapes its political leadership, using Magdalena Andersson as a case study. Situated within the field of Foreign Policy Analysis, the study applies Alexander George’s Operational Code framework to examine how Andersson’s philosophical and instrumental beliefs have shaped her leadership style during her time as Sweden’s finance minister, party leader and first female prime minister. Adopting a qualitative case study design, the research employs an idea analysis as its methodological approach. The empirical material consists of public articles, books and Andersson’s autobiographical writing, complemented by semi-structured interviews with individuals who have worked closely with her. A gender perspective is integrated to analyse the extent to which gender may influence Andersson’s leadership, as well as how it is interpreted and manifested in political decision-making. The findings indicate that Andersson’s leadership is characterized by pragmatism, a strong emphasis on control, and a reliance on factual, economic, and institutional reasoning. Furthermore, the findings indicate that gender norms do not constitute a defining feature of her leadership style, which is instead largely articulated in gender-neutral terms. By highlighting the significance of individual personal style in political leadership, this study contributes to the broader literature within Foreign Policy Analysis.