Mikael Sandström, the chief of staff for the Moderates, is leaving to become the Director General of the Swedish EFS Council. Cherine Khalil, a veteran of the party, will take over his role. This change comes as the Moderates reorganize ahead of the upcoming election, with Martin Borgs leading the campaign to re-elect Ulf Kristersson as Prime Minister.
Mikael Sandström Appointed Director General; Cherine Khalil Steps In at Moderates
Mikael Sandström Appointed Director General; Cherine Khalil Steps In at Moderates
Mikael Sandström, the chief of staff for the Moderates, who has also conducted government training with the Sweden Democrats, is leaving for a new role as Director General.
Taking over is party veteran Cherine Khalil, who has long been by Ulf Kristersson's side.
With a year left until the election, the Moderates are reorganizing their structure.
It was previously known that Martin Borgs, the deputy party secretary, will become the campaign leader with the task of trying to get Ulf Kristersson re-elected as Prime Minister. Additionally, Karin Juhlin, also a former deputy party secretary, has left for a position as state secretary with Minister for Aid Benjamin Dousa (M).
Now it is clear that one of the party's true heavyweights, Mikael Sandström, is also leaving the Moderate office. He has previously been an advisor to several Moderate leaders and in 2022 was one of those who conducted training for the Sweden Democrats' parliamentary members in a so-called "government school."
Sandström will become the Director General of the Swedish EFS Council, tasked with strengthening the individual's position in the labor market.
M-Veteran Steps In
Cherine Khalil will take over as head of the parliamentary office. She left the Moderates' organization, where she served as press chief and one of Ulf Kristersson's closest associates, after the EU election in 2019, for a position as deputy press chief at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
Since then, she has worked as a department head at the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (Ivo), and it is from there she now returns to politics. In total, she has worked in communications for about 20 years.
Cherine Khalil looks forward to taking on another election campaign for the party, as she states in a press release from the Moderates.
– Now I look forward to leading the office in support of the government's agenda for the remainder of the term and, together with all employees, mobilizing for the election year 2026.