Carl-Oskar Bohlin

Carl-Oskar Bohlin (born 1986) is a Swedish politician of the Moderate Party who has represented Dalarna County in the Riksdag and serves as Minister for Civil Defence in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet, with a focus on civil protection and crisis management.

Appointed to the role on 18 October 2022, Bohlin leads efforts to strengthen Sweden's civil defence amid heightened geopolitical tensions, marking the first such dedicated ministerial position since 1947. His responsibilities include coordinating resilience-building across society, emphasizing total defence concepts where civilians play active roles in crisis preparedness. Originally from Borlänge, Bohlin entered national politics as a Riksdag member for Dalarna, advancing through Moderate Party ranks to his current government post.

Early life and education

Early life

Carl-Oskar Simon Bohlin was born on 8 January 1986 in Borlänge, Sweden.

He grew up in the Jakobsgårdarna area of Borlänge.

Education

Bohlin completed his secondary education at Falu Frigymnasium in Falun, where he followed the social sciences programme from 2002 to 2005.

He subsequently enrolled at Uppsala University, undertaking law courses from 2007 to 2012, though he did not complete a candidate degree.

Political career

Youth and local involvement

Bohlin entered politics at a young age, becoming involved in municipal affairs in his hometown of Borlänge. At 18 years old, he was elected to the municipality's children's and school board, marking his initial foray into local governance focused on education and youth issues.

In February 2005, Bohlin was elected chairman of the Moderate Youth League (Moderata ungdomsförbundet) in Dalarna, a position that highlighted his rising influence within the Moderate Party's youth wing at the regional level. This role built on his early municipal engagement, where he contributed to local political discussions as a young adult in Borlänge.

Parliamentary service

Carl-Oskar Bohlin was elected to the Riksdag in the 2010 general election, representing Dalarna County for the Moderate Party. He served as a member of parliament from 2010 until 2022, focusing on legislative work during that period.

In 2014, Bohlin was a candidate for the European Parliament on the Moderate Party list but was not elected.509980(ANN04)_EN.pdf)

Ministerial appointment

On 18 October 2022, Carl-Oskar Bohlin was appointed Minister for Civil Defence in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet. This appointment recreated the portfolio, with Bohlin serving as its first holder since 1947.

As a member of the Moderate Party, Bohlin's elevation followed the formation of a centre-right government after the 2022 Swedish general election, in which the Tidö Agreement coalition secured a slim majority. His prior service in the Riksdag since 2010 positioned him for the role amid heightened focus on national resilience.

Role as Minister for Civil Defence

Responsibilities

As Minister for Civil Defence in the Ministry of Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin holds oversight of civil defence matters in Sweden's government, including aspects of crisis management and protection of the population. His portfolio emphasizes coordination across government entities to ensure effective response and preparedness in emergencies.

Bohlin leads initiatives to strengthen resilience for Sweden and its allies, aligning civil defence with broader security objectives as articulated in official government priorities. Since his appointment in October 2022 as part of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's cabinet, he has coordinated the strategic development of civil defence, spanning key societal sectors to enhance national endurance against threats.

Key policies and initiatives

As Minister for Civil Defence, Bohlin has emphasized Sweden's total defence concept, which integrates military and civilian efforts to enhance national resilience against threats. He has publicly stated that "every Swede has a role to play" in this framework, underscoring the need for whole-of-society involvement in preparedness and crisis response. This approach aims to build collective resilience across sectors, positioning civil defence as a deterrent and supportive element to military capabilities.

In September 2025, Bohlin faced harassment from pro-Palestinian activists while walking home from the Riksdag in Stockholm, an incident that highlighted vulnerabilities for public officials amid heightened security concerns. He described the event as part of broader demonstrations around parliament that made parliamentarians feel exposed to potential attacks, reinforcing his advocacy for stronger civil defence measures to protect societal functions during unrest.