Sweden’s newly appointed Health Minister, Elisabet Lann, collapsed on Tuesday during her first press conference, marking a dramatic start to the new parliamentary year (2025–2026).
Lann, a municipal councillor from Gothenburg and member of the Christian Democrats, had just been announced as the country’s new health minister following the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Acko Ankarberg Johansson, on Monday. She was standing alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, party leader Ebba Busch, and other senior officials when the incident occurred.
Witnesses reported that Lann suddenly fainted, hitting her head against the lectern as she fell. Security personnel and colleagues immediately rushed to her aid, and she was quickly escorted out of the room.
Despite the alarming moment, Lann returned shortly afterward to reassure attendees. “This was not exactly a normal Tuesday, and this is what can happen when you have a blood sugar drop,” she said. She did not appear to sustain any injuries, and it remained unclear whether she received formal medical treatment. The press conference, however, was abruptly cancelled.
Before the collapse, Lann had addressed the state of Sweden’s healthcare system. She praised its overall quality but emphasized that long waiting times remain a critical challenge. Speaking to reporters, she said:
“Swedish healthcare is of high quality; the main issue is the long waiting times. We must transition to equitable healthcare. It is clear that we must strengthen government control. It is not worthy of a welfare state that so many people are waiting for healthcare.”
Lann’s dramatic first appearance as health minister underscores the pressure on Sweden’s government to tackle healthcare reforms and waiting list backlogs—a challenge that is expected to shape much of her tenure.
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