Swedish party leaders clash over economy, antisemitism and alliances

Sharp exchanges between prime ministerial candidates, accusations over antisemitism and an invitation to switch sides were among the highlights of a major election debate on Monday evening, SVT reported.

Expressen and Dagens Industri organised the first major debate of the final stretch of Sweden’s 2026 election campaign.

The first half focused on the economy. Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party and Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats quickly began accusing each other of inappropriate personal gains.

The debate became heated in the second half, which focused on Sweden’s role in the world. Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch placed her hand on Liberal leader Simona Mohamsson’s Star of David necklace while accusing Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar of failing to keep her party free from antisemitism.

The parties supporting the government have repeatedly highlighted what they describe as divisions among the opposition parties. After an exchange between Dadgostar and Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist, Mohamsson openly invited the Centre leader to join her side.

“Why don’t you just come over to this side?” Mohamsson asked.

Thand Ringqvist rejected the invitation.