Minister for Justice (Sweden)
# Minister for Justice (Sweden)

The Minister for Justice, (Swedish: justitieminister), formally cabinet minister and head of the Ministry of Justice, is a member and minister of the Government of Sweden and is appointed by the Prime Minister. The minister is responsible for policies related to combating terrorism, democracy and human rights, family law, the judicial system and the Constitution of Sweden.

The current Minister for Justice is Gunnar Strömmer of the Moderate Party.

## History

The office was instituted in 1809 as a result of the constitutional Instrument of Government promulgated in the same year. Until 1876 the office was called Prime Minister for Justice (Swedish: justitiestatsminister), similar to the office of Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs (Swedish: utrikesstatsminister). Until 1840, the Prime Minister for Justice also served as a member of the Supreme Court. Following the ministry reform in 1840, the Prime Minister for Justice became head of the newly instituted Ministry of Justice. In 1876 the office proper of Prime Minister of Sweden was created and at the same time the Minister for Justice was created. Before 1876 the Prime Minister for Justice had in practice been granted exclusively to members of the most prominent noble families.

## List of officeholders

### Prime Ministers for Justice (1809–1876)

| Name | Took office | Left office | Political party |
| - | - | - | - |
| Carl Axel Wachtmeister | 9 June 1809 | 5 April 1810 | Independent |
| Fredrik Gyllenborg | 5 April 1810 | 18 August 1829 | Independent |
| Mathias Rosenblad | 18 August 1829 | 16 May 1840 | Independent |
| Arvid Mauritz Posse | 16 May 1840 | 5 September 1840 | Independent |
| Carl Petter Törnebladh (acting) | 5 September 1840 | 14 January 1841 | Independent |
| Carl Petter Törnebladh | 14 January 1841 | 5 January 1843 | Independent |
| Lars Herman Gyllenhaal | 5 January 1843 | 28 December 1844 | Independent |
| Johan Nordenfalk | 28 December 1844 | 9 March 1846 | Independent |
| Arvid Mauritz Posse | 23 March 1846 | 10 April 1848 | Independent |
| Gustaf Sparre | 10 April 1848 | 25 September 1856 | Independent |
| Claës Günther | 25 September 1856 | 7 April 1858 | Independent |
| Louis De Geer | 7 April 1858 | 3 June 1870 | Independent |
| Axel Adlercreutz | 3 June 1870 | 8 April 1874 | Independent |
| Edvard Carleson | 4 May 1874 | 11 May 1875 | Independent |
| Louis De Geer | 11 May 1875 | 20 March 1876 | Independent |

### Ministers for Justice (1876–present)

**Color key**

Independent Historical parties:  Lantmanna  Moderate  National Party  Liberals  Liberals  Liberals  Liberals Present parties:  Social Democrats  Moderate  Centre  Left  Liberals  Christian Democrats  Green  Sweden Democrats

**Status**

Denotes acting Minister for Justice

| Portrait | Portrait | Minister for Justice (Born-Died) | Term | Term | Term | Political Party | Coalition | Cabinet |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Portrait | Portrait | Minister for Justice (Born-Died) | Took office | Left office | Duration | Political Party | Coalition | Cabinet |
| | | De Geer d.ä., LouisLouis De Geer d.ä. (1818–1896) | 20 March 1876 (1876-03-20) | 6 June 1879 (1879-06-06) | 3 years, 78 days | Independent | – | De Geer d.ä. Cabinet |
| | | Almqvist, Ludvig TeodorLudvig Teodor Almqvist (1818–1884) | 6 June 1879 (1879-06-06) | 19 April 1880 (1880-04-19) | 318 days | Independent | – | De Geer d.ä. Cabinet |
| | | Steyern von, NilsNils von Steyern (1839–1899) | 19 April 1880 (1880-04-19) | 6 February 1888 (1888-02-06) | 7 years, 293 days | Independent | – | Posse Cabinet Thyselius Cabinet Themptander Cabinet |
| | | Bergström, AxelAxel Bergström (1823–1893) | 6 February 1888 (1888-02-06) | 28 September 1888 (1888-09-28) | 235 days | Independent | – | Gillis Bildt Cabinet |
| | | Örbom, AxelAxel Örbom (1836–1889) | 28 September 1888 (1888-09-28) | 30 May 1889 (1889-05-30) | 244 days | Independent | – | Gillis Bildt Cabinet |
| | | Östergren, AugustAugust Östergren (1832–1914) | 12 June 1889 (1889-06-12) | 5 February 1896 (1896-02-05) | 6 years, 238 days | Independent | – | Åkerhielm Cabinet Boström I Cabinet |
| | | Annerstedt, LudvigLudvig Annerstedt (1836–1904) | 5 February 1896 (1896-02-05) | 5 December 1901 (1901-12-05) | 5 years, 303 days | Independent | – | Von Otter Cabinet |
| | | Hammarskjöld, HjalmarHjalmar Hammarskjöld (1862–1953) | 5 December 1901 (1901-12-05) | 5 July 1902 (1902-07-05) | 212 days | Independent | – | Von Otter Cabinet |
| | | Berger, OssianOssian Berger (1849–1914) | 5 July 1902 (1902-07-05) | 2 August 1905 (1905-08-02) | 3 years, 28 days | Lantmanna | – | Boström II Cabinet Ramstedt Cabinet |
| | | Berg, GustafGustaf Berg (1844–1908) | 2 August 1905 (1905-08-02) | 7 November 1905 (1905-11-07) | 97 days | Moderate | M–L | Lundeberg Cabinet |
| | | Staaff, KarlKarl Staaff (1860–1915) | 7 November 1905 (1905-11-07) | 29 May 1906 (1906-05-29) | 203 days | Liberals | L | Staaff I Cabinet |
| | | Petersson, Gustaf AlbertGustaf Albert Petersson (1851–1938) | 29 May 1906 (1906-05-29) | 7 October 1911 (1911-10-07) | 5 years, 131 days | Electoral League | Electoral League | Lindman I Cabinet |
| | | Sandström, GustafGustaf Sandström (1865–1930) | 7 October 1911 (1911-10-07) | 17 February 1914 (1914-02-17) | 2 years, 133 days | Liberals | L | Staaff II Cabinet |
| | | Hasselrot, BerndtBerndt Hasselrot (1862–1930) | 17 February 1914 (1914-02-17) | 30 March 1917 (1917-03-30) | 3 years, 41 days | Independent | – | Hammarskjöld Cabinet |
| | | Stenberg, StenoSteno Stenberg (1870–1940) | 30 March 1917 (1917-03-30) | 19 October 1917 (1917-10-19) | 203 days | Electoral League | National Party | Swartz Cabinet |
| | | Löfgren, ElielEliel Löfgren (1872–1940) | 19 October 1917 (1917-10-19) | 10 March 1920 (1920-03-10) | 2 years, 143 days | Liberals | L–S/SAP | Edén Cabinet |
| | | Undén, ÖstenÖsten Undén (1886–1974) | 10 March 1920 (1920-03-10) | 30 June 1920 (1920-06-30) | 112 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Branting I Cabinet |
| | | Åkerman, AssarAssar Åkerman (1860–1936) | 30 June 1920 (1920-06-30) | 27 October 1920 (1920-10-27) | 119 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Branting I Cabinet |
| | | Ekeberg, BirgerBirger Ekeberg (1880–1968) | 27 October 1920 (1920-10-27) | 13 October 1921 (1921-10-13) | 351 days | Independent | – | De Geer Cabinet Von Sydow Cabinet |
| | | Åkerman, AssarAssar Åkerman (1860–1936) | 13 October 1921 (1921-10-13) | 19 April 1923 (1923-04-19) | 1 year, 188 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Branting II Cabinet |
| | | Ekeberg, BirgerBirger Ekeberg (1880–1968) | 19 April 1923 (1923-04-19) | 18 October 1924 (1924-10-18) | 1 year, 182 days | Independent | National Party | Trygger Cabinet |
| | | Nothin, TorstenTorsten Nothin (1884–1972) | 18 October 1924 (1924-10-18) | 7 June 1926 (1926-06-07) | 1 year, 232 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Branting III Cabinet Sandler Cabinet |
| | | Thyrén, JohanJohan Thyrén (1861–1933) | 7 June 1926 (1926-06-07) | 2 October 1928 (1928-10-02) | 2 years, 117 days | Liberals | L–L | Ekman I Cabinet |
| | | Bissmark, GeorgGeorg Bissmark (1871–1941) | 2 October 1928 (1928-10-02) | 7 June 1930 (1930-06-07) | 1 year, 248 days | National Party | Electoral League | Lindman II Cabinet |
| | | Gärde, NatanaelNatanael Gärde (1880–1968) | 7 June 1930 (1930-06-07) | 24 September 1932 (1932-09-24) | 2 years, 109 days | Independent | L | Ekman II Cabinet Hamrin Cabinet |
| | | Schlyter, KarlKarl Schlyter (1879–1959) | 24 September 1932 (1932-09-24) | 19 June 1936 (1936-06-19) | 3 years, 269 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Hansson I Cabinet |
| | | Bergquist, ThorwaldThorwald Bergquist (1899–1972) | 19 June 1936 (1936-06-19) | 28 September 1936 (1936-09-28) | 101 days | Independent | C | Pehrsson-Bramstorp Cabinet |
| | | Westman, Karl GustafKarl Gustaf Westman (1876–1944) | 28 September 1936 (1936-09-28) | 30 August 1943 (1943-08-30) | 6 years, 336 days | Centre | S/SAP–C S/SAP–C–M–L | Hansson II Cabinet Hansson III Cabinet |
| | | Bergquist, ThorwaldThorwald Bergquist (1899–1972) | 30 August 1943 (1943-08-30) | 31 July 1945 (1945-07-31) | 1 year, 335 days | Liberals | S/SAP–C–M–L | Hansson III Cabinet |
| | | Zetterberg, HermanHerman Zetterberg (1904–1963) | 31 July 1945 (1945-07-31) | 20 September 1957 (1957-09-20) | 12 years, 51 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP–C–M–L S/SAP S/SAP–C | Hansson IV Cabinet Erlander I Cabinet Erlander II Cabinet |
| | | Lindell, IngvarIngvar Lindell (1904–1993) | 20 September 1957 (1957-09-20) | 1 December 1959 (1959-12-01) | 2 years, 72 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP–C S/SAP | Erlander II Cabinet Erlander III Cabinet |
| | | Kling, HermanHerman Kling (1913–1985) | 1 December 1959 (1959-12-01) | 14 October 1969 (1969-10-14) | 9 years, 317 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Erlander III Cabinet |
| | | Geijer, LennartLennart Geijer (1909–1999) | 14 October 1969 (1969-10-14) | 8 October 1976 (1976-10-08) | 6 years, 360 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Palme I Cabinet |
| | | Romanus, SvenSven Romanus (1906–2005) | 8 October 1976 (1976-10-08) | 12 October 1979 (1979-10-12) | 3 years, 4 days | Independent | C–M–L L | Fälldin I Cabinet Ullsten Cabinet |
| | | Winberg, HåkanHåkan Winberg (1931–2022) | 12 October 1979 (1979-10-12) | 5 May 1981 (1981-05-05) | 1 year, 205 days | Moderate | C–M–L | Fälldin II Cabinet |
| | | Petri, Carl AxelCarl Axel Petri (1929–2017) | 5 May 1981 (1981-05-05) | 8 October 1982 (1982-10-08) | 1 year, 156 days | Independent | C–L | Fälldin III Cabinet |
| | | Rainer, OveOve Rainer (1925–1987) | 8 October 1982 (1982-10-08) | 10 November 1983 (1983-11-10) | 1 year, 33 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Palme II Cabinet |
| | | Leijon, Anna-GretaAnna-Greta Leijon (born 1939) Acting | 11 November 1983 (1983-11-11) | 15 November 1983 (1983-11-15) | 5 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Palme II Cabinet |
| | | Wickbom, StenSten Wickbom (1931–2015) | 15 November 1983 (1983-11-15) | 19 October 1987 (1987-10-19) | 3 years, 338 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Palme II Cabinet Carlsson I Cabinet |
| | | Leijon, Anna-GretaAnna-Greta Leijon (born 1939) | 19 October 1987 (1987-10-19) | 7 July 1988 (1988-07-07) | 232 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Carlsson I Cabinet |
| | | Peterson, Thage G.Thage G. Peterson (born 1933) Acting | 7 July 1988 (1988-07-07) | 30 September 1988 (1988-09-30) | 115 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Carlsson I Cabinet |
| | | Carlsson, IngvarIngvar Carlsson (born 1934) Acting | 30 September 1988 (1988-09-30) | 4 October 1988 (1988-10-04) | 4 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Carlsson I Cabinet |
| | | Freivalds, LailaLaila Freivalds (born 1942) | 4 October 1988 (1988-10-04) | 4 October 1991 (1991-10-04) | 3 years, 0 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Carlsson I Cabinet Carlsson II Cabinet |
| | | Hellsvik, GunGun Hellsvik (1942–2016) | 4 October 1991 (1991-10-04) | 7 October 1994 (1994-10-07) | 3 years, 3 days | Moderate | M–C–L–KD | Bildt Cabinet |
| | | Freivalds, LailaLaila Freivalds (born 1942) | 7 October 1994 (1994-10-07) | 21 September 2000 (2000-09-21) | 5 years, 350 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Carlsson III Cabinet Persson Cabinet |
| | | Hjelm-Wallén, LenaLena Hjelm-Wallén (born 1943) Acting | 21 September 2000 (2000-09-21) | 16 October 2000 (2000-10-16) | 25 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Persson Cabinet |
| | | Bodström, ThomasThomas Bodström (born 1962) | 16 October 2000 (2000-10-16) | 6 October 2006 (2006-10-06) | 5 years, 355 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP | Persson Cabinet |
| | | Ask, BeatriceBeatrice Ask (born 1956) | 6 October 2006 (2006-10-06) | 3 October 2014 (2014-10-03) | 7 years, 362 days | Moderate | M–C–L–KD | Reinfeldt Cabinet |
| | | Johansson, MorganMorgan Johansson (born 1970) | 3 October 2014 (2014-10-03) | 18 October 2022 (2022-10-18) | 8 years, 15 days | Social Democrats | S/SAP–MP | Löfven I Cabinet Löfven II Cabinet Löfven III Cabinet Andersson Cabinet |
| | | Strömmer, GunnarGunnar Strömmer (born 1972) | 18 October 2022 (2022-10-18) | | 282 days | Moderate | M–KD–L | Kristersson Cabinet |

* According to the data above, Anna-Greta Leijon was the first female appointed as the Minister for Justice (1983). However, Laila Freivalds was the first female with a legal credential to become the Minister for Justice (1988–1991; 1994–2000)--as Leijon had a labor background.
