Ebba Busch, leader of the Christian Democrats, questions the necessity of the Liberal Party in a future government, suggesting a preference for a coalition with the Moderates and Sweden Democrats if red lines persist. With elections a year away, Busch emphasizes the importance of addressing Swedish values and healthcare to sway undecided voters. She also highlights concerns over political safety amid rising polarization, drawing parallels with the U.S. and advocating for stronger police intervention against unauthorized demonstrations.
Ebba Busch Questions Liberal Party's Role in Future Government
Ebba Busch Questions Liberal Party's Role in Future Government
For Ebba Busch, it is not a given that the Liberal Party should be part of the government after the next election. If there are too many red lines concerning the Sweden Democrats, she prefers a Moderate/Christian Democrat government.
– If people have too complicated conditions for how they can imagine a government, then they can sit outside.
It is now exactly one year until the election on September 13, 2026. Several party leaders are celebrating by giving speeches.
One of them is Ebba Busch, leader of the Christian Democrats, who will meet people in Knivsta.
She is focused on the Tidö parties being re-elected, which currently seems to be a significant challenge. The Moderates, Christian Democrats, Liberals, and Sweden Democrats are far behind the opposition, led by the Social Democrats, in opinion polls.
For the Christian Democrats, who are dangerously close to the four percent threshold for parliament, the potential lies in Swedish values, healthcare issues, and undecided voters who have not yet decided how to vote, she believes.
– But everyone must do their homework, of course.
The situation is even worse for the Liberals, who are currently at bottom levels around two percent. For the right-wing side to continue governing, it is likely required that all four parties make it into parliament once again.
– I am not stressed about it. Simona has stepped in strongly, says Busch.
Much of the upcoming election campaign will focus on which government alternative should gain the voters' trust.
Neither Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Moderates) nor opposition leader Magdalena Andersson (Social Democrats) has wanted to give a clear answer on whom they want to govern with.
Not a Given with the Liberals
On the right side, the question mark is the Sweden Democrats, who currently cooperate from parliament.
The Christian Democrats scrapped their red lines in January when they removed the ban on sitting in government with the Sweden Democrats. But neither the Moderates nor the Liberals have given a clear answer.
Do they need to?
– They must be allowed to answer for themselves. People will go crazy if I say what I think.
The Social Democrats always get away
Furthermore, Ebba Busch points out that it is good that the Christian Democrats do not have any ultimatum to adhere to.
– I think we have a good position and that it is clear which values are non-negotiable. There is no intrinsic value in the Sweden Democrats being in government. But we also do not think there is an intrinsic value in the Liberals being in government, she says, adding:
– One should remember that the Christian Democrats' alternative before the last election was a Moderate/Christian Democrat government. If people have too complicated conditions for how they can imagine a government, then they can also sit outside.
Is that as far as you want to go?
– Yes.
Don't the voters need to know?
– You can ignore it when it comes to Magdalena Andersson… She has an impossible equation. But the Social Democrats always get away. Here I support Ulf when he says, "why should I be required to answer things that the Social Democrats have never been required to?"
Ebba Busch says she looks forward to the election campaign and meeting people on the streets and squares.
But she is also worried.
She points to the murder of conservative debater Charlie Kirk in the U.S., where the polarized debate has been cited as a possible reason behind the shooting.
She believes that we, like the U.S., live in a polarized time with intense tensions.
– I don't want to paint the devil on the wall, but we are already in the risk zone where it is no longer a question, can it happen here?
Discussion on Security
Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson has opened up to strengthening protection around politicians ahead of the election campaign.
Recently, Carl-Oskar Bohlin (Moderates), Minister for Civil Defense, was followed by demonstrators, and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (Moderates) has had activists at her door.
Ebba Busch, in turn, wants to increase the police's ability to intervene against demonstrations that occur without permission. She does not want to acknowledge that it would be an infringement on freedom of expression.
– No, it's about maintaining it, she says.
– The cost right now for political engagement, and for someone to step in as new, is enormous.
Above all, Ebba Busch mentions the Gaza demonstrators who have drowned out, threatened, and frightened others who have sought permission to demonstrate.
She is also critical of the part of the left that she believes fuels the behavior.
That's how I have it every day
For her part, she believes that the heightened situation has made it difficult for her to give speeches. What she says is drowned out.
Are you afraid for your own safety?
– I think this is so tricky to talk about. When I talk about security situations and people who go too far, which happens daily, it risks triggering others.
Could Have Been Infiltrated
Ebba Busch compares her situation with the hate and threats that former Center Party leader Annie Lööf has talked about.
– That's how I have it every day.
At the same time, Busch believes it is important for people to become aware that the demonstrations can also be exploited, for example, by foreign powers.
She "does not find it unlikely" that it is already happening.
– I see this in light of the war in Ukraine. We need to be vigilant. Sweden is under attack, trying to sow division among Swedes.