Left Party fears Kristersson will return as prime minister

The Left Party believes a left-green government is increasingly unlikely, with Ulf Kristersson seen as the likeliest next prime minister, sources in the party told SVT. Despite the pessimism, support remains strong for the party’s demand to hold ministerial posts in any government it backs.

Comments by Left Party figure Ida Gabrielsson on the Aktuellt programme on Monday were interpreted by media as suggesting the party might drop its firm demand to join the government. She said the party was ready to negotiate and discuss everything, including the question of ministerial posts.

Her remarks came after difficult days for the party. Social Democratic leader Andersson has said she wants to keep the Left Party out of a potential government, while the Centre Party has opened the door to cooperation with the right. Left Party sources told SVT that the party leadership appears to have begun giving up on forming a left-green government.

Anger within the party is directed at both the Centre Party and the Social Democrats. August Flensburg, chair of the Left Party’s Stockholm district, said there was nothing the party could do if the Centre Party preferred a government backed by the Sweden Democrats. One source said relations with the Social Democrats had deteriorated more than ever.

However, sources at both national and local levels said the Left Party has not abandoned its demand to be part of a government it supports. The party leadership called members on Monday to check that they still backed its position. Sara Carlsson Hägglund, chair of the party’s Gothenburg district, said: “If the Left Party is to support a government, we must also be part of it.”

Several party sources said the executive board could still go against a decision made at the party congress. The demand for ministerial posts was described as a matter of trust that would be very difficult, but not impossible, to retreat from. One source said a party could break with a congress decision if circumstances changed, the leadership wanted to do so and members accepted it, but that none of those conditions had yet been met.

Support for the party leadership is currently strong, according to sources. They said pressure could grow if the right-wing alternative fails in parliament and Andersson faces the final vote before a snap election. A fourth vote would represent a genuinely changed situation, one source said.