1 April 2008: Göran Johansson, Gothenburg's city leader, is one of the best known politicians in Sweden, not least for his forthright manner and trenchant views on immigration. Born in Gothenburg in 1945, he became a union leader at the city's SKF factory during the 1960s and subsequently emerged as a regional baron for the Social Democratic Party. The mayor has been shortlisted for the 2008 World Mayor Award.

Though frequently referred to as mayor, Johansson’s official civic position is as president of the executive committee of the 81-member city council, which he has held continuously since 1994 and also between 1988 and 1991. With a total of 17 years in office, he is the face of Gothenburg, not least for the skin disease which makes him rather recognisable.

Johansson's combative and "undemocratic" style as an old school trade unionist is not to the taste of everyone in his party however and he is often regarded as difficult to work with. His stance on Iraqi asylum seekers and discipline in schools could also be seen as going against the national liberal temperament.