Trust Issues and Policy Divisions Deepen Among Sweden's Tidö Coalition Parties

Tensions within Sweden's Tidö coalition remain high as trust issues and policy disagreements persist, particularly between the Sweden Democrats (SD) and the Liberals (L). In a recent interview, SD leader Jimmie Åkesson expressed clear skepticism towards the Liberals, claiming he does not trust their willingness to collaborate with his party. Åkesson warned that if the Liberals fail to enter parliament due to low poll numbers—which have them hovering below the threshold—this could jeopardize the formation of a center-right government and potentially bolster the left-leaning coalition led by Magdalena Andersson. He further emphasized that the Liberals’ rejection of SD could alienate SD voters, making cooperation difficult and eroding trust within the coalition.

At the same time, disagreements on immigration policy, particularly regarding the revocation of permanent residency permits, have surfaced among Tidö party leaders. While Åkesson acknowledged a lack of consensus on this issue, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson sought to downplay the discord, describing the situation as normal negotiation dynamics within the coalition. "I see no drama in this. It sometimes happens that we negotiate about things," Kristersson said.

These developments reveal ongoing fractures in the Tidö coalition’s unity, with SD emphasizing the consequences of mass migration, including increased gang violence and segregation, while Liberals struggle to maintain electoral viability. The internal disputes highlight the challenges ahead for Tidö parties in maintaining a cohesive front in government formation and policy implementation.