Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) extended a hand to the C leader and invited her, and other non-socialist parties, to a growth pact with the aim of the next term of office.
"If your invitation is an attempt for The Moderate Party to save the government's failed growth policy through the Center Party and thus become part of The Moderate Party's current political project, then I must unfortunately disappoint you," Hatt writes in a reply letter.
"No Tidö Party"
In a press conference, she elaborates on what she means.
The Center Party is Sweden's foremost growth party, but we are not a fifth Tidö party, says Hatt.
That the Center Party would participate in saving the Tidö government and The Moderate Party's cooperation with the Sweden Democrats before the next term of office is completely out of the question.
The Prime Minister still takes note that Hatt opens up for bilateral talks with him, without the Sweden Democrats.
"We have different opinions on many areas, that's nothing new. But I still take note that there are areas where we should be able to reach consensus. A growth pact with broad support would increase the business community's willingness to invest in Sweden. Therefore, I look forward to discussing these issues further with Anna-Karin Hatt," Ulf Kristersson writes in a comment.
Must break with the Sweden Democrats
For the Center Party, the focus is on increasing growth and reducing climate emissions, Hatt announces. Something she does not think can be implemented together with the Sweden Democrats.
"But if The Moderate Party would want to break its dependence on the Sweden Democrats and instead increase cooperation with us in the Center Party, then that would of course be very welcome and good for Sweden," says Hatt.
She points to two "cornerstones" that the Center Party considers crucial for a long-term growth policy. Firstly, she wants to see a broad agreement on energy policy, secondly, she wants to see a settlement in the ongoing environmental goal inquiry on Sweden's climate goals.
Anna-Karin Hatt has since she took office as party leader not wanted to give any indication of who she wants to see as Prime Minister or on which side of politics she wants to place the Center Party. On the other hand, she has closed the door to "organized cooperation" with the Sweden Democrats.
