Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is put forward by the nomination committee with just one week left until the C party convention.
It is with great humility, joy and a lot of optimism for the future that I accept this, she says at a press conference.
Many long for a green liberal movement that wants to make Sweden a better country.
The Nomination Committee agreed. The Nomination Committee's Chairman, Anders Åkesson, emphasizes that Thand Ringqvist has extensive experience in both politics and business.
She has been in the nomination committee's thoughts for a long time, says Åkesson.
She has been frequently nominated and has shown a willingness and enthusiasm to shoulder the responsibility of leading the Center Party.
“Change government”
Thand Ringqvist says she wants to continue the work of "maximizing" C's influence in Swedish politics.
We have said that a vote for the Center Party is a vote for a change of government. To make the whole of Sweden work, by increasing jobs, reducing emissions and by making Sweden governed by faith in the future and not fear.
At the same time, she rules out cooperation with the SD.
We have had a discussion in the party and this is the line everyone feels comfortable with and therefore it is stuck, she says.
However, she does not want to say who, Ulf Kristersson (M) or Magdalena Andersson (S), she would prefer to see as prime minister.
Nor does she want to point out which is the most realistic alternative where C can support or be part of a government.
We will see realistic alternatives on election day.
When it comes to cooperation with the Left Party, she says that there are no such decisions.
Anna-Karin Hatt unexpectedly resigned a few weeks ago, after just under six months in office. She pointed out that threats and hatred directed at her made her unwilling to continue.
Hate and threats
"Of course I think about it a lot," says Thand Ringqvist.
"This is something you have to come to terms with with your family and I have. We have grown children now so it feels very nice that I have children to share my worries with instead of having to worry about the children," she says.
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist will receive a corresponding government minister salary, which is lower than Anna-Karin Hatt had. A government minister earns 161,000 kronor a month, while Hatt last spring received a historically high salary of 223,000 kronor.
Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist is currently the party's group leader in the Riksdag and spokesperson for business policy. She was elected to the Riksdag in connection with the 2022 election.
Born February 20, 1972 in Sunne parish, Jämtland.
Member of Parliament since 2022. Group leader for C in the Riksdag, business policy spokesperson, sits on the party board.
CEO of Företagarna 2011-2015. Member of several boards over the years, including Skärgårdsstiftelsen and Storskogen Group.
Leisure politician in Östersund City Council 1991–2010.
Political expert to Minister of Industry, Trade and Industry Maud Olofsson 2006–2010.
Master of Science (BSc) in Economics. Studied at the Stockholm School of Economics 1991–1996.
Married to Erik Ringqvist. They have two children, born in 2003 and 2004.
