Lars Werner, a veteran politician from the Swedish Left Party, has died at the age of 77. Born in Stockholm, Werner took his initial seat in Swedish parliament in 1965, before acting as the Left Party’s top official from the mid-1970s until 1993. At the beginning of Werner’s leadership, the organisation was officially named the Communist Left Party (Vänsterpartiet kommunisterna), but altered its title in 1990.
Werner had been suffering from heart problems in recent years, according to reports.
Jonas Sjöstedt, the current figurehead of the Left Party, told the media “I am deeply sorry about Lars Werner’s death and my thoughts are with his family,” The Local reports.
He added, “There are many of us who will miss him. Lars Werner was deeply rooted in the labour movement. He had a warm heart and strong sense of class. A large and loved political figure has left us.”
Similarly, CH Hermansson, who led the party at the start of Werner’s time in parliament, said, “I will miss Lars Werner terribly and am miserable after hearing the news. We worked together for many years to renew the party as a modern left movement. He was always very loyal and reliable.”