New Liberal Leader Simona Mohamsson Receives Record Low Approval Ratings

Simona Mohamsson, the new leader of the Liberal Party, has received the lowest approval rating since Verian, formerly Sifo, began measuring party leader trust. This is revealed in a new survey for Expressen.

"It's a tough situation," says Per Söderpalm at Verian.

Not everyone can become nationally recognized overnight, like the new Minister of Health, Elisabeth Lann (KD), who gained fame after fainting on live television. Sometimes it takes longer, as Simona Mohamsson has experienced. Months after assuming leadership of the Liberals, she lacks voter confidence.

Now, she receives bottom ratings in yet another survey.

"This is one of the lowest ratings we have seen since we started measuring party leader trust," says Per Söderpalm, head of public opinion at Verian.

Only three percent of the electorate trusts Simona Mohamsson, according to the confidence survey conducted for Expressen. This matches the record low level Daniel Helldén had when he took office.

The numbers present a clear challenge for the Liberals, who are struggling to stay above the parliamentary threshold. It is particularly damaging that her trust is low among both opposition and Tidö parties' voters.

"Don't Know Who She Is"

The so-called recognition challenge is a key reason for the low trust, explains Per Söderpalm.

"Large parts of the population don't know who she is. She is not previously known among the general public. Unlike, for example, the new Center Party leader Anna-Karin Hatt, who has been visible as a minister in a previous government."

In the best case, increased recognition of the party leader could boost voter support.

"The proportion who either answer 'don't know' or have neither high nor low trust constitutes 58 percent. This, along with the low opinion numbers, indicates a tough situation for the party. At the same time, election campaigns usually give smaller parties a chance to be visible among voters," says Per Söderpalm.