Annie Johansson (Vive l'Emperor)

Annie Johansson was born on July 16, 1983. Her father, Hans-Goran, was a centre party politican and deputy leader of the party.

In 2000 she left enrolled at Lund University, studying economics and media. Whilst at University she joined the Radical party, but in 2002 she switched her support to the centre party. She left university and was employed by the centre party as a public relations consultant, becoming the personal PR consultant to part leader Maud Olofsson during the 2002 election.

Following the election (in which the centre party gained half their seats again) she was madethe manager of CentreYouth movement PR office, and in 2004 took over the leadership of CentreYouth.

She was selected for a seat in the 2005 election, and became the youngest swedish mp (age 22). She became the Centre party's economics spokeswoman and one of the most recognisable figures in the party, appearing on most TV debate programs and talk shows.

At the 2008 election she was made party manager, and was credited with its electoral success. Then suddenly Maud Olofsson resigned after 9 years as leader. Johansson was elected leader of the party without any serious opposition.

She first announced her intention to form an electoral alliance in January 2009, saying that an alliance of Sweden's many political parties was the only way to end nearly 80 years of social democratic government.

In March 2009 the first meeting between the leaders of the five largest opposition parties -:The Centre Party, The Moderate Party, The Peoples Liberal Party, The Radical Party and the Liberal Democratic Party. They agreed common ground and to form an opposition coalition, forming an opposition cabinet to include members from all parties.

The leaders agreed to reconvene in late 2009 to agree to strengthen the electoral pact further, but this was postponed until June 2010. There they agreed that a full union of Sweden's opposition parties was the only answer, and in July it was agreed that the 5 main parties would merge.

The leadership campaign for the new party began, with Johansson being elected.