By remaining in office, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has proven his staying power. Photo: Ulrika Vendelbo   

Since becoming the Moderates' leader in 2003, Reinfeldt has overturned the party's image and fortunes. He spearheaded the creation of the Alliance for Sweden — a coalition between the Moderates, Liberals, Center Party and Christian Democrats.

In doing so, political commentators concur that he gave the nation a viable alternative to Social Democratic rule, which has dominated Sweden over the last century. And the people have chosen to stick with it.

Reinfeldt is also credited with revamping the Moderates, shifting their politics to a center-right position and removing their old school and elitist reputation. Indeed, under his leadership, the party was renamed the New Moderates.

It's a rather fitting addition, perhaps, because Reinfeldt portrays the image of a modern "new" man, in touch with his people.

Family man 

Just a month before the election, his face was gracing the covers of Sweden's two biggest men's fashion magazines. He admits enjoying housework and is most happy spending time with his three young children and wife Filippa, a local council politician in the capital.

Reinfeldt was born on August 4, 1965, and grew up in the Stockholm suburbs in a comfortable home and surroundings.

When he’s not being a family man or even running the country you might find him following his favorite football team. Reinfeldt has been a fervent supporter of Stockholm club Djurgårdens IF since the age of 11.

It was at that same tender age that Fredrik was elected chairman of his school council — a passion for leadership that was born out of popularity amongst his peers.  But Reinfeldt hasn’t always been met with such personal esteem during his political career.

Early on, Reinfeldt stood up for his political beliefs, even when they clashed with those of his party. Photo: Alliansen

Going against the grain

Having joined the Moderate Youth League (MUF) at the age of 18, he challenged the seriousness of the organization and instead formed a breakout group called Conservative Youth. It eventually took over as the leading platform for young Moderate Party supporters and Reinfeldt went on to become chairman of MUF.

During his degree studies in Business and Economics at Stockholm University, Reinfeldt stayed involved in student politics and graduated in 1990. Only 12 months later he was elected as a Member of Parliament, when the Moderate Party came to power in the 1991 election under Carl Bildt.

Reinfeldt again challenged authority after the 1994 election loss to the Social Democrats, pulling no punches in his open critcism of Bildt and other high-flying officials.

Eventually, his public outcries left him ostracized within party circles and he failed to secure any prominent position until Bildt handed over leadership to Bo Lundgren in 1999.

The ruling Alliance, from left to right: Jan Björklund (Liberal Party), Maud Olofsson (Center Party), Göran Hägglund (Christian Democrats), and Reinfeldt. Photo: Niklas Carlson 

New winning ways

Lundgren was forced to resign his position after the 2002 election when the Moderates pulled a disastrously low 15.3 percent of the votes.

Having toned down his criticism, Reinfeldt had by now become the main contender to succeed Lundgren. He fronted a cool, calm and collected manner to Moderate Party members and was unanimously elected as leader the following year.

It is this same style that has earned him increased support among voters since becoming the third youngest Prime Minister of Sweden at the age of 41. In the 2010 election, of the four parties in the winning Alliance, only the Moderates improved on their 2006 election result.

It was no surprise for Sweden when the 2006 election resulted in a shift in power. The Social Democrats had ruled for 12 years, ten of which were under Göran Persson, and people were calling for a change in both leadership and policy. This unified sense resulted in a Reinfeldt victory, but even back then commentators were discussing his real test — securing a further four years in office.

Reinfeldt's 2010 win proves that his politics and popularity have staying power, and he will be remembered as more than a one-term wonder.     

Christine Demsteader

English freelance journalist Christine Demsteader recently became a Swedish citizen, then only just missed out on the election. Read more about it here.

The author alone is responsible for the opinions expressed in this article.