Liberal Party faces potential collapse over far-right coalition deal

Sweden’s Liberal Party is in turmoil after leader Simona Mohamsson signalled openness to governing alongside the far-right Sweden Democrats, a move analysts warn could either destroy the party or force a painful rebirth, reports SVT Nyheter.

Political commentator Mats Knutson described the internal conflict as “deep and difficult to bridge,” with long-standing divisions now sharpened by the party’s shift toward cooperation with the Sweden Democrats. “Many within the Liberals believe they are abandoning the party’s core liberal values by even considering this alliance,” Knutson said.

The party has struggled for years with weak poll numbers and an unclear political identity, Knutson noted. “They no longer have a monopoly on social-liberal policies, and voters don’t know which side of the political spectrum they belong to.”

While the decision could trigger mass defections, Knutson suggested it might also consolidate the party around its leadership’s new direction. “Once a decision is made, you might see either a wave of departures or a more united party—there’s no middle ground here.”

The Liberals have a history of internal strife, with factions repeatedly clashing over ideology and strategy. “No other party in recent years has been so defined by internal divisions, where different wings attack each other,” Knutson said.

The outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes are high: the party’s survival may hinge on whether its gamble on the Sweden Democrats alienates or energises its base.