Romina Pourmokhtari

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = Romina POURMOKHTARI Minister for Climate and the Environment, Sweden.jpg

| caption = Pourmokhtari in 2023

| office = Minister for the Environment

| term_start = 18 October 2022

| term_end =

| primeminister = Ulf Kristersson

| predecessor = Annika Strandhäll

| successor =

| office2 = Member of the Riksdag

| term_start2 = 26 September 2022

| term_end2 =

| constituency2 = Stockholm Municipality

| office3 = President of Liberal Youth of Sweden

| term_start3 = 19 August 2019

| term_end3 = 6 November 2022

| predecessor3 = Joar Forssell

| successor3 = Erik Berg

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Stockholm, Sweden

| party = Liberals

| monarch = Carl XVI Gustaf

}}

Romina Pourmokhtari (born 12 November 1995) is a Swedish politician for the Liberals. She has served as the Minister for the Environment since 2022 in the Kristersson cabinet.{{cite web |url=https://www.government.se/press-releases/2022/10/swedens-new-government/ |title=Sweden's new Government |date=18 October 2022 |publisher=Government of Sweden |access-date=1 November 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018155229/https://government.se/press-releases/2022/10/swedens-new-government/ |archive-date=18 October 2022}}{{Cite news|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/10/18/New-26-year-old-climate-minister-appointed-in-Sweden|title=New 26-year-old climate minister appointed in Sweden|website=Al Arabiya English|accessdate=18 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019105338/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/10/18/New-26-year-old-climate-minister-appointed-in-Sweden|url-status=live}} She has also been a member of the Riksdag for Stockholm Municipality since 2022. She is the youngest-ever minister of a cabinet in Sweden, having ascended to her position at the age of 26.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2022/10/18/romina-pourmokhtari-26-becomes-swedens-youngest-minister/|title=Romina Pourmokhtari, 26, becomes Sweden's youngest minister|first=Paul|last=Carey|date=18 October 2022|website=The National|accessdate=18 October 2022|archive-date=5 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105175846/https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2022/10/18/romina-pourmokhtari-26-becomes-swedens-youngest-minister/|url-status=live}}

Political career

= Liberal Youth of Sweden (2019–2022) =

Pourmokhtari became the president of the Liberal Youth of Sweden in 2019.{{citation|title=Romina Pourmokhtari tar över Liberala ungdomsförbundet|url=https://www.di.se/nyheter/romina-pourmokhtari-tar-over-liberala-ungdomsforbundet/|journal=Dagens Industri|date=17 August 2019|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021191948/https://www.di.se/nyheter/romina-pourmokhtari-tar-over-liberala-ungdomsforbundet/|url-status=live}}

In June 2021, she and the two vice-chairs of the Liberal Youth published an article in Expressen calling for the Liberal Party to "adopt red lines" against the far-right Sweden Democrats, saying that the Sweden Democrats' "vision of society and of people is infinitely more dangerous than any challenge Sweden faces today," but that after the Liberal Party members had voted to consider going into government with the Sweden Democrats, the party should not compromise on the right to asylum, the independence of universities, media, cultural institutions, and the justice system, protection for women, LGBT+ people, and minority groups, and Sweden's role in global affairs, including international aid and the European Union.{{cite news|date=29 June 2021|title=LUF: Här är våra krav för att gå till val med Liberalerna|url=https://www.expressen.se/debatt/luf-har-ar-vara-krav-for-att-ga-till-val-med-liberalerna/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=23 June 2023|work=Expresse|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108205342/https://www.expressen.se/debatt/luf-har-ar-vara-krav-for-att-ga-till-val-med-liberalerna/|url-status=live}}

On 14 September 2022, she announced that she would step down as president at the upcoming congress in November later that year.{{Cite web|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/liberala-ungdomsforbundets-ordforande-avgar|title=Liberala ungdomsförbundets ordförande avgår|date=14 September 2022|accessdate=19 October 2022|via=Sveriges Radio|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001115853/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/liberala-ungdomsforbundets-ordforande-avgar|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Söderholm |first1=Elin |title=Erik Berg vald till ny ordförande för LUF |url=https://www.luf.se/erik-berg-vald-till-ny-ordforande-for-luf/ |website=Liberala ungdomsförbundet |access-date=26 August 2023 |date=6 November 2022}}

= Minister for the Environment (2022–present) =

Following the 2022 Swedish general election in September 2022, Pourmokhtari was elected to the Riksdag for Stockholm Municipality. Immediately following the election, she pledged to vote against the formation of any government that included the Sweden Democrats.{{cite news|date=14 September 2022|title=Pourmokhtari (L) lovar att fälla regering där SD ingår|url=https://www.dn.se/sverige/pourmokhtari-l-lovar-att-falla-regering-dar-sd-ingar/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=23 June 2023|work=Dagens Nyheter|archive-date=14 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914235545/https://www.dn.se/sverige/pourmokhtari-l-lovar-att-falla-regering-dar-sd-ingar/|url-status=live}} She later deleted tweets where she criticized the Sweden Democrats after joining a coalition government with the party.{{Cite news |last1=Persson |first1=Ida |last2=Lindvall |first2=Julia |date=18 October 2022 |title=Yngsta ministern om SD-motståndet: "Samma åsikter som innan" |language=sv |work=SVT Nyheter |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/hon-blir-sveriges-yngsta-minister-nagonsin |access-date=29 July 2023}}

In October 2022, she was named Minister for the Environment in the Kristersson Cabinet, with the Liberal Party taking part in the Tidö Agreement with the Moderates, the Christian Democrats, and the Sweden Democrats. As part of the agreement, the Ministry of the Environment was downgraded from a full ministry to a department of the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, however, Pourmokhtari told media that there was "absolutely no drop in ambitions" for the government's environmental policy.{{cite web|date=18 October 2022|title=Yngsta ministern om SD-motståndet: "Samma åsikter som innan"|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/hon-blir-sveriges-yngsta-minister-nagonsin|author-last=Persson|author-first=Ida|access-date=23 June 2023|work=SVT Nyheter|archive-date=23 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623131036/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/hon-blir-sveriges-yngsta-minister-nagonsin|url-status=live}} Later that month, she was named "Sweden's most powerful politician under 30" by Expressen.{{cite news|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/jag-kommer-inte-trycka-pa-nagon-javla-rod-knapp/|title=Jag kommer inte trycka på någon jävla röd knapp|magazine=Expressen|accessdate=19 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025194424/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/jag-kommer-inte-trycka-pa-nagon-javla-rod-knapp/|url-status=live}}

In June 2023, she faced criticism after the government's National Climate Conference featured no scientists, environmental NGOs, nor youth representatives on any of its panels.{{cite web|date=15 June 2023|title=Inga klimatforskare på regeringens klimatmöte|url=https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2023-06-15/inga-klimatforskare-pa-regeringens-klimatmote|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=23 June 2023|work=Sydsvenskan|archive-date=24 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624081730/https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2023-06-15/inga-klimatforskare-pa-regeringens-klimatmote|url-status=live}} In response to the criticism, she stated that the goal of the conference was to ask business leaders about obstacles they faced to adopt more climate measures and that it would be inappropriate for the government to meet with civil disobedience groups like Extinction Rebellion.{{cite web|date=16 June 2023|title=Ministerns svar efter forskarkritiken: "Fel fokus"|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Q7KdaJ/klimatminister-romina-pourmokhtaris-svar-efter-kritiken-mot-klimatmotet-fel-fokus|author-last=Björkman|author-first=Frederik|access-date=23 June 2023|work=Aftonbladet|archive-date=23 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623131036/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Q7KdaJ/klimatminister-romina-pourmokhtaris-svar-efter-kritiken-mot-klimatmotet-fel-fokus|url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Pourmokhtari announced that the government planned to build ten new nuclear reactors in the next two decades, saying that climate transition requires a doubling of electricity production."{{cite news |date=10 August 2023|title= Sweden criticised over plan to build at least 10 new nuclear reactors|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/10/sweden-criticised-over-plan-to-build-at-least-10-new-nuclear-reactors|last=Bryant|first=Miranda|access-date=16 January 2024|work=The Guardian}} In September 2023, the Swedish government announced that it would cutting around 250 million kronor from its environmental budget and would be introducing tax cuts for petrol.{{cite news |date=21 September 2023|title=Swedish government faces backlash after slashing climate budget|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/swedish-government-faces-backlash-after-slashing-climate-budget|last=Bryant|first=Miranda|access-date=16 January 2024|work=The Guardian}}

In December 2023, Pourmokhtari and Kristersson announced a new climate strategy for Sweden, aiming to reach net zero by 2045 and including an 800 million kronor increase in subsidies for green businesses as well as the potential development of electric vehicle charging port network across the country.{{cite news |date=21 December 2023|title=Government and Sweden Democrats deliver new climate strategy|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/government-and-sweden-democrats-deliver-new-climate-strategy|access-date=16 January 2024|work=Radio Sweden}} The strategy faced criticism for failing to meet Sweden's 2030 climate goals, as well as for dropping several major points such as a planned ban on petrol car sales in 2030 to satisfy the Sweden Democrats.{{cite news |date=21 December 2023|title=Swedish minister faces no-confidence vote over 'irresponsible' climate plan|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20231221/swedish-minister-faces-no-confidence-vote-over-irresponsible-climate-plan|access-date=16 January 2024|work=The Local Sweden}} In response to the criticism, Kristersson stated that Pourmokhtari was "the best climate minister Sweden has ever had."{{cite news |date=21 December 2023|title=Kristersson: Den bästa klimatminister Sverige haft|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/flera-partier-vacker-misstroende-mot-romina-pourmokhtari|last=Aro|first=Emilia|access-date=16 January 2024|work=Radio Sweden}}

Pourmokhtari stated in 2024 that she would not be a part of any possible government including the Sweden Democrats following the 2026 election. She also called the party "a racist party with nazi roots".https://www.msn.com/sv-se/nyheter/inrikes/pourmokhtari-inte-aktuellt-med-sd-i-regering/ar-BB1jlZ4m{{cite web | url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/mQXVkv/pourmokhtari-inte-aktuellt-med-sd-i-regering | title=Pourmokhtari vägrar sitta i regering med SD | date=5 March 2024 }}

Personal life

Pourmokhtari grew up in Sundbyberg.{{Cite work|url=https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/politik/1090610-allt-om-romina-pourmokhtari-sveriges-yngsta-minister|title=Vill du veta mer om Romina Pourmokhtari? Allt om uppväxten, pojkvännen och dissen mot innerstadsbarn|date=18 October 2022|work=Nyheter24|accessdate=5 April 2023|archive-date=3 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103093137/https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/politik/1090610-allt-om-romina-pourmokhtari-sveriges-yngsta-minister|url-status=live}} Her father is a political refugee from Iran, and it was through him that Romina became interested in politics.{{Cite web|url=https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/politik/1090610-allt-om-romina-pourmokhtari-sveriges-yngsta-minister|title=Allt om Romina Pourmokhtari – Sveriges yngsta minister någonsin|date=18 October 2022|website=Nyheter24|accessdate=19 October 2022|archive-date=3 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103093137/https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/politik/1090610-allt-om-romina-pourmokhtari-sveriges-yngsta-minister|url-status=live}} According to Pourmokhtari, her parents fled from the country "when freedom was taken from them."{{Cite work|url=https://www.svd.se/a/wP0ra4/hon-tar-over-liberala-ungdomsforbundet|title=Hon tar över Liberala ungdomsförbundet|work=Svenska Dagbladet |date=17 August 2019|accessdate=19 October 2022|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019212118/https://www.svd.se/a/wP0ra4/hon-tar-over-liberala-ungdomsforbundet|url-status=live}} During her interview with the Swedish newspaper NU – Det liberala Nyhetsmagasinet, she stated that her first strong political memory was during the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tidningen.nu/vi-demonstrerade-pa-hustaken-i-iran/|title="Vi demonstrerade på hustaken i Iran" | Tidningen Nu|date=22 August 2019|accessdate=19 October 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022215315/https://www.tidningen.nu/vi-demonstrerade-pa-hustaken-i-iran/|url-status=live}}