Sweden is often portrayed as a leading country in terms of gender equality, and the high representation of women in parliament is usually used as evidence. In recent years, the increased representation of women in the executive, as cabinet ministers and chief executives, has received increased attention. Hence women in Sweden have managed to crack the glass ceiling to the political center of power, although the ultimate position of power – the prime minister position – has not yet been conquered by any women. This paper explores women’s political representation in the Swedish cabinet from the first appointment of Karin Kock in 1947 to the appointment of Åsa Regnér 2014. The aim is to analyze how, when and why the glass ceiling to the executive power could burst and to examine the possible existence of gender patterns inside the citadel of power - the cabinet. By employing a historical institutionalist perspective, including a time dimension, and by focusing this elite group of executives, we want to contribute to a deeper understanding of the gendered nature ministerial recruitment. Another aim is to contribute with knowledge on ministers’ own experiences of success and resistance as well as their perceptions about political leadership, gender and power. The paper is based on analyses of diaries, biographies and interviews with five female ministers 1947-2014.
