The minister called – protest against nomination

Romina Pourmokhtari protested when the youth union nominated her as the new L-leader, Expressen learns. At the same time, Erik Ullenhag has been seen inside the party office.

Officially, no one has been asked.

– Now we are starting to look at people who fit the required profile, says Lars Persson Skandevall (L), chairman of the nomination committee. News, reports and analyses in Sweden and around the world.

The next likely Liberal leader is Romina Pourmokhtari, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change who previously led the youth association Luf. This is believed by a number of sources within the Liberal Party.

It was also Luf who was the quickest to nominate its former chairman for the role of party leader, which was then followed by a number of districts that openly declared their support for Pourmokhtari.

According to Expressen’s sources, the actions from Luf did not go down particularly well with the minister himself.

Several people in the party believe that Pourmokhtari is currently very keen to control what is communicated about her externally. And that this has led, among other things, to her calling Luf, clearly indicating that she thought the union had acted hastily.

A lot points towards Pourmokhtari

The election committee has urged the party to let the process run internally without disruption, and candidates who take a position publicly. According to sources, Romina Pourmokhtari wants to live up to this.

In the early stages of the process, several sources said that Romina Pourmokhtari was hesitant to become party leader right now. Today, however, several have changed their minds and believe that she wants and is ready to take over – if the party wants.

This is partly due to the great support she received in the nomination process.

– A lot points in Romina’s direction. I think it will end up with her being elected in the end, says one person.

Compare with Hat

But Romina Pourmokhtari is not the only candidate to take over.

According to Ekot’s sources, a persuasion campaign is currently underway from a number of top liberals aimed at Erik Ullenhag, currently Consul General in New York and former Minister of Integration in the coalition government.

– If he wanted to, he could probably bring the party together, an L source told the radio.

Expressen’s sources point out that Ullenhag is well-liked in the Liberals and that he has been seen at the party’s office in Stockholm. He stood as a candidate against Nyamko Sabuni in 2019, but lost. And now a number of his party colleagues dream of him running again.

Other information suggests, on the contrary, that Ullenhag is lost and has already refused to participate in the process.

However, this is nothing that dampens the will of those who wish to see him in the top post. Instead, they are inspired by the Center Party, which got its preferred candidate Anna-Karin Hatt despite her turning down several times.

– It also strengthens us, says a liberal who believes it has given a feeling that it may be possible to persuade a dream candidate.

Minister of Education Lotta Edholm, who was early identified as the biggest favorite, has reportedly sent a clear signal internally that she really does not want the job. She is said to be very happy being Minister of Education and she also knows the downsides of the party leadership job, as she was previously married to the then party leader Lars Leijonborg.

A unifying leader

Lars Persson Skandevall believes that the election committee has not yet come up with a proposal for who should lead the Liberals. He estimates that a name will be presented about a week before the politicians’ week in Almedalen starts, i.e. around June 17.

– We are where we need to be in the process. We are about two weeks away, he says, emphasizing that they will now begin in-depth interviews with various candidates for the job.

However, the requirements profile for the type of leader the Liberals want is clear. It has been developed by the election committee after many discussions with the party’s representatives and unions.

– It should be a capable leader, politically and organizationally. A person who is well-rooted in the party and who can contribute to renewal. In addition, a person who the party wants to rally around, says Persson Skandevall.

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