Center Party leader Anna-Karin Hatt announced on Wednesday that she is resigning after just six months, citing hate and threats in a polarized societal climate. The news has shaken the party and Swedish politics, with Hatt warning of a threat to democracy. She may receive a severance payment of over 2.6 million kronor.
On Wednesday morning, Anna-Karin Hatt, who took office as Center Party leader in May 2025, announced her resignation due to hate and threats. 'I have made an overall assessment of the situation it entails for me to be party leader in an increasingly harsh, more polarized societal climate,' she said in SVT's Aktuellt. Hatt emphasized that it is not a single incident but a recurring issue that makes it difficult to lead the party long-term, especially for women in politics. 'That many locally elected representatives today, and not least women, experience it as a very exposed situation is a threat to democracy,' she warned, pointing to the risk of reduced recruitment of politicians.
The news came as a surprise to many in the party, which is described as in shock and anger internally. A C source told SVT: 'People are furious and disappointed. She got a strong mandate and could do whatever she wanted.' According to a party congress decision, Hatt may be entitled to severance pay equivalent to a full year's salary, based on her monthly income of 223,000 kronor, totaling 2,676,000 kronor—similar to rules for cabinet ministers. Her short tenure may affect the amount. Valberedning chairman Anders Åkesson called it 'a reasonable stance.'
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson learned of the news live on stage at Tingsholm Gymnasium in Ulricehamn when student Filippa Ekvall, 18, asked him about it. 'Are you kidding?', he exclaimed according to Ulricehamn's Tidning, adding: 'This is where I have to go to get real news.' Later, Kristersson said he found it sad and that politics must separate fact from person to maintain dignity in debates.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer noted a harsher democratic climate and ongoing work for security ahead of the 2026 election. Political scientist Mikael Sundström at Lund University called the resignation surprising and said the party is back to square one: 'Everything Anna-Karin Hatt has said on various issues is reset.' With the election less than a year away, a new leader must quickly find footing, but the party struggles with identity issues in positioning between right and left.
Former regional politician Mia Frisk, who has faced threats herself, hopes the news serves as a wake-up call: 'I hope that Anna-Karin's announcement today can lead to a change' in the debate.