The Swedish Liberals re-elected Simona Mohamsson as party leader by a narrow majority in a four-hour digital extraordinary congress marred by severe technical issues. The vote confirms the party's new policy to include SD in a potential Tidö government. Several members are resigning in protest.
On Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Swedish Liberals (L) held an extraordinary digital congress with 183 delegates, 177 of whom attended. The meeting, delayed by technical problems, was paused four times due to lags, poor audio, and disruptions. Proposals to postpone it were voted down, despite criticism of its legitimacy and short notice (one week instead of five for regular congresses). The presidium, chaired by Arman Teimouri, proceeded per statutes, according to party secretary Fredrik Brange. 95 delegates voted for Simona Mohamsson as leader, 80 abstained, and 2 were absent in the vote—no challenger ran. Mohamsson called it a 'restart for the Liberals' and said: 'Ten years of agony are over. Through the Sweden Pledge, there is now a united government alternative on our side of politics.' She backs Ulf Kristersson (M) as prime minister candidate and rules out negotiating cabinet posts with SD before the election. Critics secured the right to abstain but regretted no separate vote on SD cooperation. Several L figures are quitting: Stockholm opposition councilor Jan Jönsson calls it 'painful sorrow', Malin Sjöberg Högrell withdraws candidacies, Kalmar chair Jonathan Strömberg resigns citing the party's anti-extremism history. Political scientist Jenny Madestam said the meeting should have been stopped; Andreas Johansson Heinö called the chaos 'symbolic' with a weak mandate. Social Democrats' Tobias Baudin sees a 'new situation' raising chances of Jimmie Åkesson as PM; Ulf Kristersson welcomes it.
