Liberalerna's leader Simona Mohamsson presented an agreement with Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson on Friday. The agreement states that Liberalerna will let Sweden Democrats into the government and accept that the party gets ministerial posts in exchange for the two parties jointly driving a list of policy issues. This would apply in the event of a possible election victory in September.
Mohamsson received support from a majority of her party board, although several board members gave a thumbs down. Next weekend, the members will have their say at an extra national meeting. There, the party will only decide whether Simona Mohamsson should continue to be party leader or not.
Indirectly, it will also be a vote on the new line towards Sweden Democrats. Mohamsson's new stance towards Sweden Democrats has been welcomed internally by some while it has sparked great anger elsewhere. A number of party profiles have loudly protested, and several have threatened to leave their assignments and the party.
According to SVT's information, intensive work is underway to mobilize opposition against Simona Mohamsson. There is talk of both presenting a counter-candidate and voting no to Mohamsson and letting the nomination committee find a new party leader. Several people point out difficulties in finding a new party leader.
It was tough to find someone who wanted to take on the assignment last time the party had leader after leader, and the candidate must be shaken out in just a week's time. In addition, opponents expect to have to appoint a number of other top positions, such as vice chairman, party secretary and new ministers. A possible candidate who is nevertheless discussed is, according to SVT's information, Member of Parliament Cecilia Rönn, who is Liberalerna's economic-political spokesperson.
She is also one of the party board members who reserved herself against Mohamsson's new line. Internally, 'dream candidates' such as former EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and former minister Birgitta Ohlsson are also discussed, but several people consider it unlikely that they would want to stand.