Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, proposed as the new leader of Sweden's Centerpartiet, views cooperation with the Left Party as almost impossible due to significant political differences. The party is considering a list of policy demands instead of naming a prime ministerial candidate. She supports Sweden joining the euro and denies rumors from previous leadership contests.
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist was interviewed by Aftonbladet at her regular café on Kungsholmen in Stockholm, where she sips a caffelatte. She comments on the day's news about Ebba Busch (KD) opening the door to Magdalena Andersson (S): "It was unexpected. I don't quite know what it means, but it was interesting." Centerpartiet is the only party that has not chosen a side in Swedish politics and may continue that way. Instead of a prime ministerial candidate, discussions focus on a demand list of policies the party wants to implement, as voters care more about issues than bloc affiliation. "Either it becomes a demand list or we decide on a prime ministerial candidate," says Thand Ringqvist. The announcement will come when the party is ready, without a fixed timetable.
She does not believe in a new Tidö collaboration and sees no clear "Tidö 2.0." The party has red lines against the Sweden Democrats but none yet against the Left Party. Cooperation with the Left Party seems unlikely: "There is very little to suggest it. Our politics are fundamentally different." The position between blocs has benefited Centerpartiet for years.
At the party congress in Karlstad tomorrow, November 13, 2025, Thand Ringqvist is expected to be elected as the third leader in less than a year. She denies rumors of planting questions about same-sex marriages against rival Daniel Bäckström: "I've heard it, but I had nothing to do with it." She supports the euro: "I've long been positive about the euro, especially from a business perspective." The party board wants to investigate the issue, but she advocates membership for lower interest rates and costs.
Thand Ringqvist is concerned about hate and threats as new leader, per a DN interview: "I think it creeps under the skin. You have to take criticism, but hate might be very difficult." She has been a hunter for 30 years and opposes a ban on the AR15 rifle, and was involved in the 2009 Nuon deal as advisor to Maud Olofsson.