Crisis-hit Sweden's Liberals suffer new resignations as Torkild Strandberg leaves the party leadership and Louise Eklund along with Gulan Avci opt out of running in the autumn parliamentary election. The party polls at a record-low 1.4 percent, well below the threshold for parliament. A crisis meeting is scheduled for the weekend to discuss the party's future.
Sweden's Liberal Party faces tough times with just eight months until the September 2026 parliamentary election. On Friday, Torkild Strandberg, chairman of Landskrona municipal council, announced he is leaving the party leadership, but he stresses the decision was planned since November and not linked to the latest poll. "This was planned and happened in good order," Strandberg tells Sydsvenskan. He will continue working for the party locally in Landskrona.
Earlier that day, Gulan Avci, the party's defense policy spokesperson, announced she will not seek re-election after eight years in parliament. "Now that I'm in the middle of life, it feels right to pause and make room for something else," she wrote on X. Louise Eklund, first deputy group leader, stated according to SVT that she will not run again.
Party secretary Fredrik Brange comments: "Gulan Avci is not seeking re-election and I want to thank her for her fantastic contribution to liberalism. Torkild Strandberg continues for the Liberals in service of Landskrona's residents."
Since the 2022 election, four MPs have left their seats, and six more have said they will not run. Only six of the 16 elected in 2022 are standing again. Previous departures include ministers like Paulina Brandberg and Mats Persson, as well as Robert Hannah who joined the Moderates.
The polling is alarming: A survey by Ekot/Indikator shows 1.4 percent, the lowest for an established party. Party leader Simona Mohamsson admits: "It is our party's fault for a long time not answering voters' questions." Resignation prevails within the party, with voices describing a sinking ship and criticism of the leadership. A crisis meeting with the leadership and party board is set for the weekend to discuss strategies, including the Tidö agreement and SD cooperation. Political scientist Jenny Madestam urges: "Now it's different rules that apply."
