Disputes deepen cracks in Tidö cooperation

The disagreements within the Tidö parties are becoming increasingly visible two weeks before the election, SVT political commentator Mats Knutson writes in an analysis.

SD leader Jimmie Åkesson’s attacks on Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch are a clear example of the tension. During SVT’s party leader interview on Sunday, Åkesson urged SD voters not to cast tactical votes for the Liberals, saying it was not in SD’s interest.

New indications of the strained relationship emerged in an interview with TT. Busch, who is also deputy prime minister, questioned Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson’s forecast that there would be little money available for reforms in the coming years.

It is notable that the deputy prime minister challenged the finance minister’s assessment, Knutson writes. They are members of the same government, have access to the same information and attended the same budget meeting at Harpsund.

Busch also said that the Moderates’ election promises were unfunded. The Moderates have reacted strongly to the statement, with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa already responding publicly.

In the same interview, Busch said she could support Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson as prime minister in the event of “war, crisis and an exceptional situation”.

Busch has repeatedly reached out to Andersson in recent weeks, while the Social Democrat leader has also praised her. Åkesson has now questioned what an “exceptional situation” would mean and whether voters can trust Busch. He also asked whether a vote for Busch could become a vote for Andersson.

Behind the verbal attack may lie a genuine concern about the Christian Democrats’ political direction. The Moderates and the Sweden Democrats are also likely to be worried by Busch’s performance in the election debate, Knutson writes.

The Christian Democrats are currently the only Tidö party that appears to have gained significant momentum in opinion polls. Busch’s approach to Andersson may help the party win voters from both the Moderates and the Sweden Democrats.

It is not unusual for individual parties to distinguish themselves during an election campaign, particularly when the parties as a group are trailing in the polls. But Knutson concludes that the situation may now be starting to look like a cooperation beginning to fall apart.

This is an analysis. The conclusions are the journalist’s own.