Nila Vikhe Patil, a Green Party politician of Maharashtrian origin, has been elected to Sweden’s Parliament from Stockholm City. The 41-year-old entered the 349-member Riksdag after Sweden’s left-leaning Opposition won a narrow majority.
Born in Sweden, Nila spent part of her childhood in Ahmednagar before returning to the country to pursue a career in Swedish politics.
She is the daughter of Maharashtra educationist Ashok Vikhe Patil, granddaughter of former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, and niece of Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
“I hope to make my grandfather proud. He made me read the state budget when I was 15,” she told PTI following her election victory.
FROM AHMEDNAGAR TO SWEDISH POLITICS
Nila has been involved in Swedish politics for several years. During Stefan Lofven’s tenure as prime minister, she worked as an adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, where she dealt with matters concerning finance, taxation and housing.
She subsequently became a member of the Stockholm City Council and served on the Green Party’s election committee in the city.
Her political experience also includes roles with the Swedish Young Greens, Green Party Gothenburg and Green Students of Sweden. She has additionally served on the executive committee of the party’s Stockholm branch.
Nila earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Gothenburg School of Business, where she studied economics and law. She also pursued studies at Madrid’s Complutense University.
In Parliament, she intends to work on issues involving children’s welfare and the environment. “I would like to be a voice for those who cannot vote and contribute to the city and the country,” she said.
CONNECTION WITH INDIA
Despite living and working in Sweden, Nila said she continues to maintain a strong connection with India. “I love India dearly and feel very connected. I have many close Indian friends,” she said.
Her family has a long-standing association with politics, education and the cooperative sector in Maharashtra. Her great-grandfather, Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, established Asia’s first cooperative sugar factory.
She also spoke about her bond with Balasaheb Vikhe Patil. “I miss my grandfather a lot. He used to call me almost every week during his final years,” she said.
SWEDEN’S LEFT WINS NARROW MAJORITY
Four left-leaning opposition parties in Sweden secured 176 seats, three more than the parties that formed or backed the outgoing conservative-led government.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned after the election results were announced. Former prime minister Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats became the largest party, winning 99 seats.
However, the slim majority could make government formation difficult because of differences among the opposition parties. Andersson will have to negotiate with parties holding differing positions before attempting to form the next government.
