Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, is open to debating Jimmie Åkesson during the election campaign. The discussion on who should be considered prime minister candidates is intensifying, with Åkesson being proposed by the Sweden Democrats. Current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson insists only he and Andersson are viable candidates. Recent polls show a divided electorate, with Åkesson's party gaining significant support.
Magdalena Andersson Open to Debating Jimmie Åkesson in Election Campaign
Magdalena Andersson Open to Debating Jimmie Åkesson in Election Campaign
Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson is open to debating Jimmie Åkesson during the election campaign.
The question of who should be considered as prime minister candidates is being discussed more intensely.
Expressen previously revealed that the Sweden Democrats have suggested to SVT and TV4 that Jimmie Åkesson should be considered as one of the candidates.
This has been contradicted by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), most recently in a debate against Magdalena Andersson on Aktuellt on Tuesday evening, and earlier in Expressen's interview podcast "Viktor möter."
– I think it's quite obvious to everyone that there are two prime minister candidates for the next election. It's absolutely clear that it's me and Magdalena Andersson, he said in the podcast.
Divided Voters
A new opinion poll from SVT/Verian shows that voters are divided on who they want to see as prime minister after the next election.
Magdalena Andersson leads with 46 percent, but the battle for second place is close. Kristersson still has an advantage with 21 percent, but Åkesson is close behind with 18 percent.
Meanwhile, a survey from TV4/Novus shows that the Sweden Democrats are now the second-largest party, after the Social Democrats. With 23.9 percent of voter support, the Sweden Democrats are larger than M, KD, and L combined, which together receive 23.1 percent.
Magdalena Andersson believes that the new situation makes the question of who should be invited to prime minister debates during the election year no longer entirely clear.
– It's not up to me to decide that. But it's a question worth discussing, she says, adding:
– In the latest opinion poll, the Sweden Democrats were larger than the entire government combined. So why would Jimmie Åkesson allow Ulf Kristersson to be prime minister in his government?
Challenges for Åkesson
An objection to Jimmie Åkesson being pointed out as a prime minister candidate is that the candidate must be able to gather support from more than half of the parliament. Currently, there is nothing to suggest that this would be possible, which Åkesson himself has previously acknowledged.
– Given the conditions we have today and those we seem to have after the election, it might not be the easiest task for me, if I want to become prime minister, to be tolerated by Sweden's parliament, Åkesson has previously said to Expressen.
Additionally, a debate where three people – Kristersson, Andersson, and Åkesson – are invited would create an uneven distribution, as two debaters would belong to the same right-wing team.
– Then maybe we need more debates. Or I could bring someone with me. Damberg perhaps, says Andersson.