Sweden's Liberalerna party is facing a major internal crisis as it prepares for an extraordinary meeting to decide on a dramatic policy reversal regarding Sverigedemokraterna (SD). According to SVT Mittnytt, the party leadership has completely changed its position on cooperating with SD in government, just months after firmly rejecting such cooperation.
Leading Liberalerna figure Ina Lindström Skandevall has announced she will leave politics following the party's policy change. "It is a sorrow," she reportedly said. Skandevall criticized the process, stating: "This has been pushed through by coup. It must happen through a democratic process where members get to have their say."
It is a sorrow
Party leader Simona Mohamsson is reportedly threatening to resign if Sunday's extraordinary meeting does not approve the policy change. The party faces record-low opinion polls with only six months remaining until elections. Liberalerna currently holds seats in only two of the county's seven municipalities and lost their regional representation in the last election.
Skandevall warned that the new policy direction will have significant consequences, stating that many local members have indicated they plan to leave if the proposals pass. The party's dramatic shift comes amid what has been described as a week of political turmoil and intense debate within the party.
This has been pushed through by coup. It must happen through a democratic process where members get to have their say.