Ingvar Carlsson (born 9 November 1934) is a Swedish politician, former Prime Minister of Sweden (1986 ? 1991; 1994 ? 1996) and leader of the Social Democratic Party (1986 ? 1996).

Carlsson was born in Borås, Västra Götaland County (then Älvsborg County), Sweden. In 1965, after completing his studies at Northwestern University in Illinois in the United States, he was elected member of the Swedish Parliament. In the same year, he also became leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League. He had the following ministerial posts; Minister of Education 1969-1973, Minister of Housing 1973-1976, Deputy Prime Minister 1982-1986 and following the assassination of Olof Palme in 1986 Ingvar Carlsson became the new Prime Minister or Statsminister and party leader. In 1990 the Carlsson cabinet resigned after failing to gain majority for economic reforms, but was reinstated immediately with a slightly changed agenda.

The Social Democrats lost the elections in 1991, but Carlsson returned to power after the elections in 1994 and was succeeded by Göran Persson both as Prime Minister and party leader in 1996. His career has been shaped by the heritage of Olof Palme, with whom he worked closely, but his policies are more seen as being a continuation of the legacy established by Tage Erlander.

A satirical TV show likened Ingvar Carlsson's appearance to the sole of a shoe, which led to the (slightly affectionate) use of the nickname the Sole ("Sulan").

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