Center party candidate rules out government role for Left Party

Birgitta Ohlsson, a newly announced candidate for Sweden’s Center Party, has stated she would not support including the Left Party in a future government, calling it an “extreme party” on economic policy, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reports.

Ohlsson, who switched from the Liberals to the Center Party citing opposition to the cooperation agreement with the Sweden Democrats (Tidöavtalet), told SVT</s Aktuellt program that while she opposes Left Party ministers, limited policy collaboration could still be possible.

“We should keep those who, in economic matters, are an extreme party as far from power as possible,” Ohlsson said. “But there are certainly areas where we can find common ground.”

The Left Party has previously stated it would only support a government in which it holds ministerial posts. Ohlsson acknowledged this stance places significant responsibility on the party, adding that tax and welfare policies would likely require compromise regardless of which bloc wins the next election.

Center Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist ruled out cooperation with the Left Party in a recent interview with Dagens Nyheter, though Ohlsson suggested opposition parties (Social Democrats, Greens, Center, and Left) may still find policy agreements.

“Tough government negotiations lie ahead no matter which side wins,” she said.