Left Party leadership open to Centre Party controlling foreign and defence ministries

The Left Party’s deputy leader has said she would support the Centre Party taking charge of Sweden’s foreign and defence ministries in a future government, despite the two parties’ long-standing disagreements on cooperation, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports.

Speaking ahead of the Left Party’s national congress this weekend, vice leader Ida Gabrielsson told SVT she saw “no problem” with the Centre Party overseeing both portfolios, praising its “fine values” and shared stance on increasing development aid. Her comments come as the Left Party pushes for ministerial roles in a potential post-election government—demands so far rejected by both the Social Democrats and the Centre Party.

“I’ve jokingly suggested handing the foreign ministry and defence ministry to the Centre Party,” Gabrielsson said. “They could do a lot of good there.” She acknowledged, however, that any such decision would ultimately rest with Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, the likely candidate for prime minister.

The Left Party has faced internal criticism over its April Fools’ joke announcing a fictional alliance with the Centre Party. Gabrielsson defended the prank as a way to “laugh about serious things” but conceded some members may not have found it amusing. “I understand if people feel it wasn’t funny—we all want this resolved so badly,” she said.

Party economist Sandro Scocco confirmed the Left Party remains at odds with the Social Democrats and Centre Party over pre-election opposition unity. “We simply have different views,” he told SVT. The Left Party has not specified which ministries it would prioritise, though Gabrielsson emphasised household costs and welfare as key focus areas.

This weekend’s congress will see Left Party members debate their demand for government participation if the current right-wing bloc loses power. Neither the Social Democrats nor the Centre Party have signalled willingness to include the Left Party in coalition talks.