Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson has narrowly defended her controversial cooperation deal with the Sweden Democrats, Sverigelöftet, at an extraordinary party congress, winning renewed confidence by 95-82 amid resignations and youth wing threats to boycott the election campaign.
The crisis in Sweden's Liberal Party (L) erupted after Mohamsson's March 13 reversal of her October 2025 pledge against SD-involved governments, followed by a secret deal with SD leader Jimmie Åkesson revealed in media reports. Critics, including Malmö politician Sara Wettergren, accused the party of betraying its 'liberal soul,' while the youth wing LUf demanded the board's resignation, threatened to halt campaigning, and expressed shock at learning of the deal via press.
A private meeting between Mohamsson and Åkesson addressed incompatible demands ahead of the autumn election, fostering trust and yielding Sverigelöftet—a 15-point agreement on school nationalization, a 2030 euro referendum, nuclear power expansion, and strict migration policies. Their post-meeting hug symbolized the divisive shift.
The revolt deepened with prominent resignations and LUf boycott threats. At Sunday's extraordinary congress (March 22), 95 of 177 delegates voted confidence in Mohamsson. The 31-year-old education minister since June 2025 demanded loyalty from parliamentary candidates, pledging to support Ulf Kristersson as prime minister post-election. 'I took responsibility to save the party,' she told Expressen, noting over 1,000 new members nationwide, including 174 in Skåne since March 13.
Commentators highlight Sweden's compromise tradition as a potential path forward, though challenges persist for the party's election prospects.
