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Susanne Nyström: Why the Liberal Party Has No Friends
🇸🇪 Sweden /Elections & Politics

Susanne Nyström: Why the Liberal Party Has No Friends

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • Liberal Party politician Simona Mohamsson is analyzed as misinterpreting Swedish politics by embracing the Sweden Democrats and criticizing the Center Party.
  • The author argues that the Liberal Party's strategy is flawed, as the Center Party is significantly larger and more popular, and other parties warn against voting Liberal.
  • The article suggests that a centrist government would be better for Sweden and for conservative voters than a bloc-based system, especially as the Tidö Agreement appears to be failing.

Liberal Party politician Simona Mohamsson is making a critical miscalculation regarding Swedish politics, according to this opinion piece from Dagens Nyheter's editorial pages. Mohamsson has shifted from outright rejection of the Sweden Democrats to fully embracing their policies and leader, Jimmie Åkesson. She has become a staunch advocate for the bloc-political system, arguing the Liberal Party is essential for a "united government alternative on our side" and for ensuring a "blue-yellow cooperation" that includes ministerial posts for the Moderates and Sweden Democrats.

It is obvious that the Tidö cooperation is about to crack.

— Susanne NyströmThe author of the opinion piece, commenting on the state of Swedish politics.

Mohamsson has also sharply criticized the Center Party, deeming their insistence on a "broad center" as outdated and their red lines against the Sweden Democrats as belonging to a bygone era. The author counters that this view is obsolete for two key reasons. Firstly, the Center Party consistently polls three to four times larger than the Liberal Party, suggesting voters prefer their approach. Secondly, leaders from both the Sweden Democrats and the Christian Democrats have cautioned that votes for Mohamsson's party might be wasted.

From her party flatly refusing the Sweden Democrats in government, her stance became not just a resigned 'okay,' but to fully embrace both SD's policies and Jimmie Åkesson (SD).

— Susanne NyströmDescribing Simona Mohamsson's shift in position regarding the Sweden Democrats.

The piece contends that political alliances are fleeting, lasting only as long as they are mutually beneficial. Relying on support votes and the goodwill of other parties is therefore precarious. The author observes that segments of the conservative bloc are looking toward the center as the Tidö Agreement coalition shows signs of weakening. This is particularly relevant as Åkesson has stated his intention to lead the opposition and run for prime minister in 2030 if the bloc loses.

She believes that the Center Party has 'a ridiculous view of Swedish politics based on the idea that there should be a broad center,' and she thinks C's red lines against SD belong to a bygone era.

— Susanne NyströmCharacterizing Mohamsson's criticism of the Center Party.

The article concludes by challenging the mantra that Swedish elections are solely a contest between two blocs. It asserts that a government formed in the center would serve Sweden and conservative voters far better than the current system, dismissing the idea of a broad center as

This – if anything – is an outdated perspective.

— Susanne NyströmCommenting on Mohamsson's view of the Center Party.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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