Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, who is the favorite to take over as C leader, is causing concern within the Social Democrats.
The fact that she is considered to lean more to the right is pointed out by sources in S as a problem for Magdalena Andersson in possible government negotiations after the election.
– You must of course be prepared to compromise, but not at any price, says S debater Daniel Suhonen.
The person who is said to have the greatest chance of taking over after Anna-Karin Hatt is the Member of Parliament Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist. She is a spokeswoman for economic policy, acting group leader and is described as clearly market liberal and more right-wing than Hatt.
Among other things, she has been singled out by EU parliamentarian Emma Wiesner (C), who herself was seen as a favorite for the top post.
– I see an excellent candidate in Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, who is a strong leader, deeply rooted in the traditional center issues. I stand behind Elisabeth and hope she runs and runs, she told TV4 the other day.
The process surrounding a new C leader is followed with excitement within the Social Democrats, as the Center Party is seen as a likely partner for Magdalena Andersson (S) in the event of a change of government.
Can play out S and M
Sources in the Social Democrats view the party leader change with some concern, as they believe that a more right-leaning C leader could be a harder nut for Andersson to crack.
– A more bourgeois Center leader can more easily play off the Social Democrats and the Moderates against each other and demand major political concessions for their support, says one of them.
Many in the Social Democrats have not forgotten how, during the time of the January agreement, the Center Party pushed for changes such as scrapping the defense tax and market rents, which was very unpopular in large parts of the party.
In order not to risk being pressured into difficult concessions to the right, the sources believe that Magdalena Andersson and her closest circle must prepare seriously.
One person emphasizes that it is important not least to be able to hold back the Left Party, in case Nooshi Dadgostar’s party also has to be included in a collaboration. If concessions are made to C, V will demand even more, the person asserts.
“Clarify core areas”
Well-known S debater Daniel Suhonen, director of LO’s think tank Katalys, is clear about how he thinks Magdalena Andersson should do.
– The Social Democrats must clarify which core areas a government is built on, and the Center Party must buy that, he says and adds:
– This could, for example, be about the fight against unemployment, massive climate and infrastructure investments and profit freezes in schools. You must of course be prepared to compromise, but not at any price.
Among sources close to Magdalena Andersson, concerns about a new C leader are waved away.
One person emphasizes that the C voters are still very negative towards the Sweden Democrats, which means that the room for maneuver to the right is limited, and that it is also “not going very well” for the Liberals who cooperate with the SD.
– It speaks against the Center Party making that trip, says the source.
The Center Party’s nominations close on Sunday. In addition to Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, members of parliament Martin Ådahl and Anna-Karin Hatt’s chief of staff Hannes Hervieu are mentioned, among others.
