So far, no resignation demands have come from anyone willing to step forward with their name. But now, the Center Party's youth association, CUF, is coming out and demanding that the party leader step down from their post.
We in the Center Party's youth association have now made the assessment that our trust in Muharrem Demirok is exhausted. This is due to the recent uproar, how the handling has looked, and also how the leadership has been in the party lately, says CUF's chairman Caroline von Seth, who also sits on the party's executive committee, to Aftonbladet.
Split in the party
Several anonymous party members have gone out in the media and criticized Demirok in recent days. A central reason is said to be his open support for a government coalition with the Social Democrats after the 2026 election, which has caused a split within the party. Critics believe that C should instead keep its options open to both sides, to get a strong negotiating position.
The dissatisfaction gained new momentum after a recent party executive meeting, when Demirok was surprisingly perceived as seeking a mandate to take a stance in favor of Magdalena Andersson. Since then, his leadership has been questioned.
There has been talk of top-down governance and pseudo-democracy, and according to Expressen, several people believe it is an "open question" whether Demirok can remain in his position. In this context, the C-leader's low confidence figures and the party's weak opinion polls are also mentioned.
TT has spoken to several people in the Center leadership who support Demirok. Their picture of the conflict is that it is a minority in the party that at all costs wants to avoid C taking a stance in favor of Magdalena Andersson and cooperation to the left.
Those who support Demirok's line believe that C cannot afford to wait to give notice in the government issue until after the election, and that the strategy is based on wishful thinking about how the political landscape will look like after the next election.
Critical of leaks
TT has sought Demirok, who declines an interview.
Previously, he has been critical of the leaks. He has also said that no decisions have been made to support Magdalena Andersson at the party executive meeting.
Demirok believes he is describing "reality".
I hear Magdalena Andersson. She opens doors for more collaborations, I appreciate that. I also hear Ulf Kristersson, he closes doors. Then, center party members cannot stand outside like beggars and wait for him to open it, said Demirok in SVT's Aktuellt yesterday.
