Within the Sweden Democrats, there is a strong internal push to position Jimmie Åkesson as a prime minister candidate, leveraging his growing popularity. While other right-wing parties dismiss this as unrealistic, Åkesson's increasing voter trust could become a key asset in future political negotiations.
Sverigedemokraterna's Internal Push: Jimmie Åkesson for Prime Minister
Sverigedemokraterna's Internal Push: Jimmie Åkesson for Prime Minister
Within the Sweden Democrats, the demand to nominate Jimmie Åkesson as a prime minister candidate is very much alive, according to sources from Expressen. In the Moderate Party, Christian Democrats, and Liberals, the issue is dismissed as "unserious." It is clear that the Sweden Democrats intend to use Åkesson's popularity as a battering ram in their fight for a place in the government.
In Norway, the question of the prime minister was seen as crucial for the right-wing's loss. Uncertainties about whether it was the Conservative Party's Erna Solberg or the Progress Party's Sylvi Listhaug who was intended as the country's leader are believed to have contributed to the Social Democrats' victory.
After the parliamentary election, parallels have been drawn to Sweden, where the Sweden Democrats are larger than the Moderates in many polls, while Jimmie Åkesson's trust among voters has strengthened. Something that Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson has been quick to remind of.
– If the opposition parties become the largest, then it is clear who will be the prime minister candidate, it is me. If the Tidö parties become the largest, it is not even clear who will be their prime minister candidate, said Magdalena Andersson on SVT's "Agenda" recently.
SD: Should Be a Candidate
Internally within the Sweden Democrats, there is a widespread belief that Jimmie Åkesson should be presented as a candidate for the prime minister post. Sources Expressen spoke with see only advantages in this.
– It is obvious, says one of them.
At party events, such as the summer speech in Sölvesborg, Åkesson is presented as "Sweden's next prime minister."
Carita Boulwén (SD) is a member of parliament and a member of the social committee. And for her, it is a given: It is Jimmie Åkesson who should become prime minister if the right wins the election.
– Yes, I think it is obvious. He is an experienced, stable, and credible leader who has long shown both decisiveness and the ability to stand up for the best of the Swedish people.
It is not just about security and order, says Carita Boulwén.
– With Jimmie Åkesson's leadership, Sweden can regain its future confidence.
Popularity as a Trump Card
Jimmie Åkesson himself has been clear during the mandate period that the Sweden Democrats demand a place in the government after the next election if the Tidö parties gain the voters' trust once again, and that it is reasonable for him to be considered a prime minister candidate if the Sweden Democrats become larger than the Moderates.
He toned down that view a bit at a press conference the other day where Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) also participated. Then Åkesson said:
– Given the conditions we have today and those we seem to get 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.
But even though Jimmie Åkesson himself understands that he would have a hard time becoming prime minister, sources in his party say that his growing trust among voters could become a trump card moving forward.
To give up the demand for the prime minister post, Åkesson and the Sweden Democrats could demand significant political gains and responsibility for major departments in the government office, in negotiations with the other Tidö parties.
Åkesson's biggest obstacle to becoming prime minister is the parliament's rules, which state that the elected person must not have more than half the parliament against them, and the fact that neither the Moderates, Christian Democrats, nor Liberals want it.
When the Issue Could Grow
Per Söderpalm, head of opinion at Verian, believes despite this that the issue of Åkesson as a leader could become significant in the election campaign.
– We have a situation where alternative right-wing parties are doing well and traditional right-wing parties are doing worse. The Norwegian election was a prime example of that. It was a knockout, he says, adding:
– If we get that kind of situation, where the Sweden Democrats pull ahead and become a few percent larger than the other parties in government together, then these kinds of questions will start to be asked openly. Even if Jimmie Åkesson does not say it himself, that dynamic is something that pushes him forward.
That Jimmie Åkesson could challenge Ulf Kristersson (M) as prime minister is seen as a non-issue within the government parties. In the Moderates, the question is described as "unserious" and a "socialist spin." Another common stance is that only Ulf Kristersson has the ability to gather a team.
But despite what is said, there are also several in the Moderates who point to the importance of becoming larger as a party. Ahead of the 2026 election, the Moderates' main goal is "to grow," unlike in 2022 when it was "to form a government."
According to sources in the party, this is partly because the Moderates know they will need strong voter support behind them for any negotiations with the Sweden Democrats after the election.
Sources in the Liberals and Christian Democrats emphasize above all that they want to see a bourgeois prime minister.
– The Sweden Democrats are not a bourgeois party, says a liberal.