The New Swedish Government Rather contrary to expectation, the victory
of the Socialists at the Swedish General Election has been followed by the formation of a coalition (or, as we should say, national) government. Hr. Hannson, the Socialist leader, is the new Prime Minister. But three out of the ten portfolios—those of Defence, Justice and Agriculture —go to the agrarians, and one of the two Ministers without Portfolio is also an Agrarian. In these days, when. democracy is surrounded with enemies, it is, as Hr. Hannson said in his-Ministerial-declaration, " more than usually necessary to safeguard the system of government by the people by creating the broadest possible foundation for the work of government." This collaboration between. Socialists and Conservatives is a tribute to the strong and healthy tr.iditions of Swedish democracy, and to the spirit of compromise which is an essential condition of the working of popular institutions. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hr. Sandler, who held the same portfolio in a previous Socialist administra- tion, is a well-known figure at Geneva, where he was a hard-working member of the Swedish Delegation to the Disarmament Conference and a dignified President of the 1934 Assembly.
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