Divided Liberal Party board in Sweden debates opening government cooperation with Sweden Democrats amid resignations.
Divided Liberal Party board in Sweden debates opening government cooperation with Sweden Democrats amid resignations.
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Liberals open to government with Sweden Democrats

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The Liberals' party board has narrowly approved a cooperation that opens for Sweden Democrats in a future government. The decision reverses the party's previous stance and has led to divisions and resignations within the party. The issue will be decided at a party congress on March 22.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, a narrow majority in the Liberals' party board voted to allow Sweden Democrats in a future government, according to Dagens Nyheter. This marks a complete turnaround from the party's previous position. As recently as October, party leader Simona Mohamsson wrote in DN Debatt that she would not enable a government with SD ministers, stating that "Sweden Democrats behave poorly" and "are not a bourgeois party." In November, the party congress decided against supporting a government with SD ministers, opting instead to form one with the Moderates and Christian Democrats with SD as a supporting party.

The issue has long divided the party. In spring 2021, the Liberals voted to pursue a bourgeois government even with support from SD, leading many politicians to leave. Now, SD has demanded ministerial positions in a new Tidö government. The Liberals are polling low, with only 2 percent support in the DN/Ipsos February survey, below the 4 percent threshold for parliament.

The decision must be approved at the party congress on March 22, where Simona Mohamsson is also to be elected party leader. If the agreement is not accepted, Mohamsson is expected to resign. Several leading politicians have already announced resignations. Economic policy spokesperson Cecilia Rönn says: "If the party congress upholds the decision, I will not be a candidate in the election." The Liberal Youth (Luf) demands that the entire party board, including Mohamsson, make their positions available at an extraordinary congress. Luf chairman Anton Holmlund calls the analysis behind the decision "incorrect" and says it makes the party "even more unclear and unprincipled."

On the SD side, there is consensus. Political scientist Jonas Hinnfors describes SD as the winner, as the party gave away "almost nothing" in the agreement. SD top Jörgen Fogelklou says there are no concessions in the four points and that the news is "very pleasing." According to another source, it involves 15 agreement points. Political scientist Erik Wångmar warns that SD could get many key ministerial posts if they become the largest party after the election.

What people are saying

X users express divided sentiments on Liberalerna's party board decision to open for potential SD inclusion in future government, reversing prior stance amid internal divisions and resignations. Centerpartiet leader criticizes it as unliberal; some Liberals and right-leaning users praise pragmatism for right-wing stability; skeptics warn of party implosion and democratic overreach.

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