Woman president for ETUC

Wanja Lundby-Wedin, the head of LO - Sweden's largest union confederation, is to be elected the next president of the European Trade Union Confederation, when it meets for its conference at the end of next month in Seville.

As the only candidate nominated, she will take over from the current president, Candido Mendez, head of the Spanish UGT confederation, for a period of four years.

The British TUC, as well as the German DGB and the Spanish UGT were among the 19 organisations nominating her. It will be the first time a woman has occupied this position.

In Sweden union density is higher for women at 81% than for men at 75%.