Magdalena Andersson criticizes Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for losing control over his government, highlighting divisions on Israel and labor immigration policies. As tensions rise, Andersson calls for Kristersson to assert leadership, while government ministers push back against her claims.
Andersson Criticizes Kristersson's Leadership Amid Government Disarray
Andersson Criticizes Kristersson's Leadership Amid Government Disarray
Ulf Kristersson has lost control over his government, according to Magdalena Andersson, who points to divisions on Israel and labor immigration.
"He needs to step up and show who's in charge. I think it's very unclear to the Swedish people right now," says the Social Democratic leader. Several Moderate ministers are now pushing back.
Ebba Busch's (Christian Democrats) attempt to downplay Sweden's tough stance on Israel has drawn significant attention, and the Social Democrats recently responded by summoning Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (Moderate Party) to the foreign affairs committee to clarify the government's position.
An extraordinary meeting is scheduled for Friday. Ahead of this, Center Party leader Anna-Karin Hatt has demanded that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderate Party) take a stand on the issue, she tells Ekot.
Magdalena Andersson now joins the call. The Social Democratic leader refers to a "difficult and transformative" security policy situation, with the situation in the Middle East and the summits on the war in Ukraine.
"Clearly Not in Control"
"It is a critical period right now, and it is important for Sweden to be a strong international voice. But it becomes difficult when the Prime Minister clearly does not have control over the government's policy," says Magdalena Andersson.
The Social Democratic leader accuses Ulf Kristersson of dodging questions.
"That the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister are pursuing different lines in an important foreign policy issue is completely unique. And it does not send a good image of Sweden abroad."
Divided on Labor Immigration
Furthermore, the government is divided on the issue of labor immigration, according to Magdalena Andersson, referring to the new Minister of Labor Johan Britz (Liberal Party) who is challenging the Sweden Democrats to change the maintenance requirement for labor immigrants.
"It is yet another minister who goes out and criticizes the government's policy," says Magdalena Andersson.
When it comes to labor immigration, don't the Social Democrats also have quite different views from your potential coalition partners in the Green Party and the Center Party?
"Yes, but the difference is that this is a minister who is out questioning the government's policy. In Sweden, the government always makes consensus decisions, and it is crucial that the government has a clear line, especially in foreign policy."
Is this election campaign rhetoric that we are beginning to see signs of?
"It is very serious that we have a Prime Minister who does not have control over the government. It is a big problem regardless of where in the mandate period you are," says Magdalena Andersson.
Minister: "Terrible Hypocrisy"
Expressen has sought Ulf Kristersson. Migration Minister Johan Forssell (Moderate Party) responds to the Social Democratic leader's criticism in a written comment.
"It is terrible hypocrisy of Magdalena Andersson to criticize others for cracks in migration policy. After three years in opposition, she has not managed to gather her own government alternative on a single migration issue. Magdalena Andersson should clean up in front of her own door," says Forssell.
Carl-Oskar Bohlin (Moderate Party), Minister for Civil Defense, also believes that Andersson is throwing stones in a glass house.
"When she was elected Prime Minister, she was forced to resign 8 hours later because her government support collapsed, as she did not have control. None of this has happened under the current government because we have control," he writes on X.