The 72-year-old factory worker Blåvitt Elofsson from Karlstad unexpectedly became a Social Democrat MP after a resignation. He sees himself as one of the few genuine workers in parliament and stresses the value of hands-on experience. Elofsson now commutes regularly between Värmland and Stockholm to engage in politics.
Blåvitt Elofsson, originally Lars-Gösta, earned his nickname from the football club IFK Göteborg when he moved to Värmland at age 23 and started working at a mechanical workshop. There he met his partner Vivann and became active in the union IF Metall. Since 2022, he has been chairman of IF Metall's S branch in Värmland. His political career began in local politics, despite the challenges of shifting from factory work to council meetings.
In February last year, his life changed dramatically. Following a message from Gunilla Svantorp (S), appointed governor of Östergötland, Elofsson took her seat in parliament. The message read: 'Sorry I haven't said anything earlier but I'm changing jobs and will resign as MP.' His partner encouraged him: 'Of course you should say yes. This is something you really want deep down.'
Now Elofsson serves on the tax committee and travels to Stockholm early Tuesdays, returning home late Thursdays. He describes the feeling as like a first-grader heading to school: 'Terrified and at the same time euphoric.' In parliament, he feels like an odd bird, especially as one of the oldest members – only three percent are over retirement age.
A study by SNS shows only 13 percent of MPs are workers, though half the population is. The Social Democrats have the most workers numerically but also the highest dropout rate. Elofsson, who plays football every Saturday with the team Svettdroppen, wants to focus on the labor market. He supports a six-hour workday and removing the sick pay waiting period. 'You must have taken some blows in life to understand how it really is,' he says.
With his new salary, he has renovated the kitchen and given better Christmas gifts to his family. For the autumn election, he is seventh on the list and needs 3,000 personal votes to secure a seat.
