Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is pointed out as the favorite to succeed Anna-Karin Hatt as Centerpartiet's leader. Within the party, there is concern that she would make it more top-down and forget the countryside. She herself expresses hesitation about the role.
Centerpartiet faces selecting a new party leader for the third time this term, following Anna-Karin Hatt's unexpected resignation. The nominating committee has been tasked with proposing a candidate for the party's congress in November. Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is described as the big favorite, but she has previously said the question is premature and now expresses clear hesitation.
"I don't know at all if I want to become party leader in this situation," Thand Ringqvist tells SVT ahead of the industry committee's meeting on Tuesday.
Within the party, there is mistrust toward her. According to Expressen's political reporter Anette Holmqvist, some fear that Thand Ringqvist would steer the party toward a more top-down structure and neglect rural issues.
"There are those who are afraid that she will take Centerpartiet back to a more top-down party," says Holmqvist in the podcast "Politikrummet".
Her supporters counter that it's unfair, as she has roots in Jämtland and good insight into regional politics. Other names mentioned include party veteran Anders W Jonsson and upstart Hannes Hervieu, who is chief of staff to Hatt. Only Emma Wiesner has so far clearly declined, and she supports Thand Ringqvist.
The process is discussed in Expressen's podcast "Politikrummet," where Holmqvist, Max V Karlsson, and Viktor Barth-Kron analyze Centerpartiet's leadership selection and the Green Party's choices ahead of the 2026 election.