Introduction
Carl Anders Peter Hultqvist (born 31 December 1958) is a Swedish politician of the Social Democrats. He has been Minister for Defence in the Swedish Government since 3 October 2014.
Politics
Hultqvist was elected to the Riksdag in 2006, having previously been chairman of the Municipal Executive Committee of Borlänge from 1989 to 2006. From 2011 to 2014, he was Chairman of the Committee on Defence in the Riksdag.
He was appointed Minister for Defence by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on 3 October 2014. On 26 July 2017, a majority in the Riksdag announced they would put forward a vote of no confidence against him. In a press conference on 27 July Löfven stated that Hultqvist would remain on his post.
Honours
Lithuania: Grand Cross of the Order for Merit
Palestine: Commander of the Order of Merit
Influence
His stance on defence policy has become known as the 'Hultqvist Doctrine'. The concept means increased defence spending and close relationships with United States, Finland, and NATO - without becoming a full member of NATO.
Personal life
Hultqvist is of Finnish descent through his mother, who as a child was evacuated from Finland to Sweden during World War II.