SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 9 February 2025, Sunday |

Swedish PM Lofven still voters’ favorite leader despite crisis

Despite a crisis that saw parliament pass a vote of no-confidence in him at the start of the week, Swedish voters trust Social Democrat Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, according to a poll released on Thursday.

According to the Novus survey, Lofven has the support of 38 percent of Swedes, putting him ahead of his most likely challenger for the position of prime minister, centre-right Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, who has the support of 35 percent of respondents.

As a result of Monday’s no-confidence vote, Lofven has one week to quit or call a new election, and the former welder is in last-ditch talks to preserve his minority government in power.

Lofven needs to persuade the Left Party – whose decision to withdraw support from the government triggered the crisis – and the Liberal Party to back him in order to form a viable government.

The Left Party could come back on board, after changes to plans to ease rent controls – the issue that caused them to turn their back on Lofven.

The Liberals have stated that Kristersson should be prime minister, but the centre-right Moderate leader lacks a majority in parliament, making a snap election more likely.

According to polls, the Liberals could fall below the 4% threshold needed to gain seats in parliament, putting pressure on them to reach an agreement with Lofven.

According to the Novus survey, Lofven’s popularity has increased by 2% since March, while that of Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson has decreased by 1%.

Jimmie Akesson, the leader of the nationalist Sweden Democrats, which called the vote of no-confidence in Lofven, and Nooshi Dadgostar, the leader of the Left Party, were among the other winners. Nyamko Sabuni, the Liberal Party’s leader, was likewise more popular.

    Source:
  • Reuters