Former party leader and education minister Lars Leijonborg is returning to politics after a 17-year absence, announcing his candidacy for the Riksdag in the 2026 election for Liberalerna. The 76-year-old politician, who left politics in summer 2009, will attempt to help the struggling Liberal party regain parliamentary representation.
Liberalerna party leader Simona Mohamsson welcomed the move, stating she was "very glad that Lars has said yes to running" and calling it "a strength signal for Liberalerna." Leijonborg served as party leader for Folkpartiet (now Liberalerna) from 1997 to 2007 and was a minister in Fredrik Reinfeldt's government between 2006 and 2009.
very glad that Lars has said yes to running
Leijonborg acknowledged the party's difficult position, with historically low opinion poll numbers and a party leader facing low confidence ratings. "Liberalerna is in a difficult situation, but is definitely needed in Swedish politics. That's why it feels fun to get the opportunity to make a contribution," Leijonborg said.
The former leader's political peak came in the 2002 election when his party received 13.4 percent of the vote. His return comes as Liberalerna faces challenges in reaching the parliamentary threshold for the upcoming election.
a strength signal for Liberalerna
Liberalerna is in a difficult situation, but is definitely needed in Swedish politics. That's why it feels fun to get the opportunity to make a contribution