Ann-Charlotte Linnea Cecilia "Acko" Ankarberg Johansson (born 29 October 1964) is a Swedish politician and civil servant affiliated with the Christian Democrats, who served as Minister for Health Care in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet from October 2022 to September 2025 and has been Governor of Västmanland County since 10 November 2025.
Ann-Charlotte Linnea Cecilia "Acko" Ankarberg Johansson (born 29 October 1964) is a Swedish politician and civil servant affiliated with the Christian Democrats, who served as Minister for Health Care in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet from October 2022 to September 2025 and has been Governor of Västmanland County since 10 November 2025.
A member of the Riksdag for Jönköping County since 2018, Ankarberg Johansson previously held the position of party secretary for the Christian Democrats from 2010 to 2018 and served as Mayor of Jönköping from 2006 to 2010, focusing on local governance before advancing to national roles. Her tenure as health minister emphasized reforms in healthcare delivery and cancer prevention, reflecting her long-standing involvement in policy leadership within the party and government.
Ann-Charlotte Linnea Cecilia Ankarberg, known by the nickname Acko, was born on 29 October 1964 in Öggestorp parish, Jönköping Municipality, in Sweden's Småland region. Her maiden name was Ankarberg.
Ankarberg Johansson attended Per Brahe Secondary School in Jönköping.
She earned a bachelor's degree in European studies from the University of Gothenburg, providing foundational knowledge in political and administrative systems pertinent to her civil service career.
Ankarberg Johansson entered local politics in 1986 as a part-time politician for the Christian Democrats in Jönköping Municipality. She advanced to the position of municipal commissioner (kommunalråd) in 1999.
From 2006 to 2010, she served as Mayor of Jönköping, becoming the first woman to chair the municipal executive committee (kommunstyrelsen) and thereby breaking new ground in the city's political landscape. In this role, she oversaw key aspects of local governance, including administration, urban development, and service delivery for one of Sweden's larger municipalities, establishing a foundation for her higher-level political engagements.
Ankarberg Johansson assumed the role of party secretary for the Christian Democrats in 2010, immediately following her tenure as mayor of Jönköping. She succeeded Lennart Sjögren and held the position until September 2018, when she resigned ahead of the parliamentary elections.
As party secretary, she managed the party's internal organization, strategic direction, and operational coordination, including efforts to adapt policies and renew the party's appeal after the 2015 leadership change to Ebba Busch Thor. Her responsibilities encompassed overseeing campaign preparations, member engagement, and administrative functions to support the party's national objectives during a period of electoral repositioning. During this time, the Christian Democrats navigated policy shifts on issues like welfare and integration while addressing stagnant voter support.
Ankarberg Johansson was elected to the Riksdag in the 2018 general election as a representative for Jönköping County, serving as an ordinary member until 2025.
From 2018 to 2022, she served as chair of the Riksdag's Committee on Health and Welfare (Socialutskottet), overseeing legislative matters related to social services, health care, and welfare policy. In this role, she led the committee's work on proposals concerning elderly care, disability support, and public health initiatives, drawing on her prior experience in local governance.
Ann-Charlotte "Acko" Ankarberg Johansson was appointed Minister for Health Care in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet on 18 October 2022. In this role, she oversaw national health policies, drawing on her prior experience in the parliamentary health and social affairs committee.
During her tenure, Ankarberg Johansson prioritized cancer prevention and treatment strategies, including efforts to update Sweden's national cancer strategy. She advanced international cooperation, such as signing an agreement with the United States in March 2024 to promote cancer research and care, highlighted during visits to institutions like Johns Hopkins Proton Therapy Center. This included participation in the US-Sweden Cancer Summit focused on collaborative advancements.
Ankarberg Johansson contributed to initiatives aimed at eliminating cervical cancer, representing Sweden in a high-level panel on the issue as part of broader WHO-aligned goals for vaccination, screening, and equitable access. Her work extended to palliative care enhancements within primary care reforms, emphasizing improved mediation and access to end-of-life services. She also engaged in UN forums, such as high-level meetings on related global health challenges.
Acko Ankarberg Johansson resigned as Minister for Health Care on 9 September 2025, marking the end of her tenure in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet. She simultaneously announced her exit from the Riksdag, where she had represented Jönköping County since 2018.
In public statements, Ankarberg Johansson described the decision as her own, denying reports that she had been dismissed from the role. The resignation came amid ongoing discussions within the Christian Democrats, though she emphasized it as a planned transition without elaborating on future plans.
Ankarberg Johansson was appointed Governor (landshövding) of Västmanland County by Civil Minister Erik Slottner, with her term commencing on 10 November 2025 and set to conclude on 30 November 2031. In this civil servant position following her political career, she heads the County Administrative Board of Västmanland, responsible for implementing national government policies at the regional level, coordinating between state authorities, regions, and municipalities, and addressing key societal issues such as environmental protection, permitting, and civil preparedness.
Her appointment emphasizes her prior experience in fostering collaboration across governmental layers, which is expected to strengthen the board's operations and support for county residents. Upon taking office, Ankarberg Johansson prioritized familiarizing herself with the county's operations and landscape, describing Västmanland as a "strong county" with a robust export economy, longstanding industrial base, and leadership in innovative sectors, while expressing eagerness to engage with local stakeholders.
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