Sveriges ordförandeskap i EU

The presidency of the European Union (EU) is one of the main institutional players in the field of negotiation. The role performance of the presidency varies a great deal between the member states. But does roles performance shift when a member state enters its second term in office? This paper visualizes the Swedish roles performance during its presidencies in both 2001 and 2009. Has the Swedish role performance changed between the presidencies? There are several different country characteristics that have transformed since the first Swedish presidency of 2001. There is clearly a shift in leadership performance between the two presidencies. The first term as president innovation and leadership was not compatible with the Swedish traditional role as consensus seeker and mediator. The EU was, during the Swedish presidency of 2009, in great need of a leader who, in the aftermath of the economical crisis, had the ability to gather and unify its member states. During Compared to the Presidency of 2001 the dilemmas concerning environmental politics, the climate change conference in Copenhagen and institutional changes formed a shadow over international priorities