Sweden's Centre-Right Bloc Commits to Continued Cooperation Amid Unresolved Differences

Leaders of Sweden's four-party centre-right bloc, known as the Tidö parties, convened in Strängnäs to discuss the future direction of their cooperation beyond the next election. The meeting, held at the official residence of the Prime Minister, brought together the heads of the Moderate Party, Liberals, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats amid heightened public and media attention.

During the gathering, the parties agreed on the importance of maintaining their alliance, outlining a preliminary plan to guide their joint efforts in the coming years. The proposed plan emphasizes three main policy areas: implementing growth-oriented economic reforms, adopting stricter migration policies to facilitate better integration, and intensifying efforts to combat organized crime. The leaders also stressed the need to address everyday criminal offenses as a significant component of their security agenda.

Despite this shared vision, the parties did not reach consensus on the specific format of their cooperation after the next electoral cycle. Existing divisions remain, particularly over the role of the Sweden Democrats in a future government. The Liberal Party has previously stated its opposition to granting the Sweden Democrats cabinet positions, indicating a preference to keep them outside the formal government structure. Conversely, the Sweden Democrats have signaled their intent to seek ministerial roles or otherwise operate as an opposition force.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed optimism about the alliance's ability to manage internal disagreements, emphasizing that policy outcomes and the direction for Sweden remain the primary concern for voters. He noted that while each party may campaign on slightly different platforms ahead of the election, the focus will remain on finding workable solutions to ensure effective governance. The meeting was characterized as consistent with previous consultations among the Tidö parties, though with a renewed emphasis on long-term planning for the next four years.

Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch highlighted the stability that has characterized the coalition's work so far, suggesting that the new agreement, informally dubbed the "Strängnäs Paper," will mark a turning point in their collaboration. She underscored the importance of setting out clear, long-term policy goals to give the coalition a shared sense of direction.

Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson pointed out that skeptics doubted the parties could cooperate effectively after the last election, yet their alliance has persisted. He expressed confidence that any outstanding issues regarding the structure of future cooperation can be resolved, echoing similar sentiments from the Liberal Party leadership.

The Tidö parties' joint statement signals ongoing commitment to their alliance, even as questions remain about how it will function in practice after the next election. Their approach, focusing on economic growth, migration reform, and crime reduction, is set to shape the centre-right bloc's platform as they prepare for the upcoming electoral contest. The parties' ability to reconcile their differences and present a united front will likely play a critical role in determining the future composition and direction of Sweden's government.