World3 min(s) read
Published 16:30 09 Sep 2025 GMT
Sweden’s newly appointed health minister Elisabet Lann passed out while being announced at a press conference.
Lann, who was flanked by the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other government officials, fell forward and pushed her lectern over, much to the shock of the gathered press.
She appeared to hit her head, and the press conference was swiftly cancelled.
Christian Democrat Party leader Ebba Busch quickly leapt in to help the stricken minister, who was given medical assistance before leaving the room.
Lann was promoted to health minister on Tuesday after the previous incumbent, Acko Ankarberg Johansson, resigned on Monday.
During one of her first activities in her new role, the municipal councillor for Gothenburg was left needing emergency medical treatment at the scene after she collapsed and fell over, appearing to hit her head in the process.
Her colleagues swooped in to help her, and eventually she was safely taken out of the room.
It is not immediately clear whether she required further medical equipment, but the press conference was called off.
Later, Lann returned to the room - seemingly not seriously injured - to explain what happened.
She said: “This was not exactly a normal Tuesday, and this is what can happen when you have a blood sugar drop.”
Lann was being introduced by Kristersson as the new minister for health, and was trying to set out her plan for the role in a speech before she unfortunately lost consciousness.
She told the gathered reporters: “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.”
Taking control in 2022, one of the main issues for the previous health minister was nationalizing healthcare, although Lann was a member of the investigative committee that concluded earlier this year that bringing the system under full or partial public control is not yet possible.
Ankarberg Johansson resigned after three years on Monday, writing: "Since 1986, I have held various positions as an elected representative for the Christian Democrats.
“It has been a privilege to work for and with the Christian Democratic movement. Thank you for your trust.”
