Kristersson warns centre-right voters against backing Centre Party

Moderate Party leader and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has warned centre-right voters that supporting the Centre Party could lead to left-wing policies, SVT reports.

With the election only days away, the Moderates are targeting voters who support centre-right politics but have turned away from the parties in the current governing cooperation because of opposition to the Sweden Democrats entering government.

Checked flannel shirts have become a symbol of the campaign. Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist has made the shirt her trademark during the election, prompting the Moderates to produce their own version.

“All fantasies about the centre, preferably with Annie Lööf as prime minister, are gone,” Kristersson said.

He also accused the Centre Party of turning its back on Swedish business and focusing instead on helping the Left Party raise taxes in Sweden.

Asked what effect his decision to allow Sweden Democrat ministers in government had had on the opinion polls, Kristersson said the four parties had effectively governed together for four years. Three parties were in government, while a fourth supported it through close cooperation, he said.

Kristersson added that the parties now saw an opportunity to form a strong majority government during a turbulent period economically and in security policy.