Veterans say Social Democrats use pressure and sweeteners in talks

Social Democrats use tough pressure tactics alongside attractive policy offers when negotiating, according to two political veterans interviewed by Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

“All tactics are allowed,” said Aron Etzler, who was the Left Party’s secretary between 2012 and 2024.

The Left Party has firmly rejected supporting a government in which it is not represented, while the Centre Party has said it will not accept a government with Left Party ministers. That could make the negotiations facing Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson with potential coalition partners difficult.

Maria Wetterstrand, who led the Green Party during the 2002 government formation, recalled that the Social Democrats told the Greens they would not cooperate with them anywhere in Sweden unless the party dropped its demand for government positions.

“You could call that something of a threat,” Wetterstrand said.

The Greens backed down, allowing a Social Democratic one-party government led by Göran Persson to take office. In return, the party secured policies including congestion charges in Stockholm and an end to cod fishing. Twelve years later, the Greens received ministerial posts.

Etzler described other tactics used by the Social Democrats, including wearing opponents down. In 2019, the Left Party agreed to let Stefan Löfven become prime minister in exchange for a secret political agreement, he said.

“One Left Party member faces a group of Social Democrats, who are then replaced. It becomes a bit like space invaders: you have to stand there alone as new waves, new arguments and new angles keep coming,” Etzler said.