SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Center Party leader survived the crisis – tensions remain

The C-leader Muharrem Demirok survived the autumn's storm. But the tensions within the party have not disappeared. The decisive factor will be what happens to the opinion polls, says Karl Gemfeldt, one of the few who openly criticized the party leadership.

» Published: January 31 2025

The Center Party leader survived the crisis – tensions remain
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

In November, there was a full-blown storm in the Center Party. Anonymous sources vented their discontent with a pressured party leader in the media. But since then, it has been calm, outwardly.

Now, around 600 Center Party members from all over the country are gathering in Linköping. They will discuss new proposals for, among other things, justice policy, schools, and rural areas. Policies that the party will go to the election with in 2026.

But in the coffee breaks, another question will be discussed – which path should the Center Party choose in the government issue? It splits the party much more than the policy issues, and that's where the trust in Muharrem Demirok will be put to the test.

Karl Gemfeldt, group leader for the Center Party in Kristianstad, demanded the party leader's resignation last autumn, but is now toning down that demand. The opinion polls ahead will decide.

We still don't have the opportunity to get a decent influence after the next election, neither nationally, in regions, nor in municipalities. That's the concern I hear, he says.

Support for S

The triggering factor last autumn was a party board meeting where it was perceived that Demirok surprisingly tried to get a decision to support S-leader Magdalena Andersson as a prime ministerial candidate.

It had an explosive effect.

Demirok's leadership style was criticized, and mostly anonymous voices protested against committing to the red-green team already now. They want to wait for the election results to have more room for maneuver in potential government negotiations.

But Demirok also got support for his line. That faction claims that the critics are a minority who have difficulty accepting the current political playing field. If the Center Party is to stand firm against the Sweden Democrats, there is no other alternative than red-green cooperation, they argue.

Not lifting off

But the discontent with Demirok is also rooted in frustration that the opinion polls are not improving, and that he still – nearly two years after taking over after Annie Lööf – ends up at the bottom of the party leader confidence ratings.

Several people TT talks to mention the opinion polls as a crucial factor for Demirok's future. Now the party is focusing on policy issues, but ahead of the party congress this autumn, the split over the government issue may flare up again.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

NATO Chief Praises Sweden after Cable Break
2 MIN READ

NATO Chief Praises Sweden after Cable Break

The police investigate murder of woman in Helsingborg
1 MIN READ

The police investigate murder of woman in Helsingborg

Critical condition for boy who received electric shock
1 MIN READ

Critical condition for boy who received electric shock

Victory in Örebro: "Very difficult to comprehend"
2 MIN READ

Victory in Örebro: "Very difficult to comprehend"

Police in Örebro: The Dead's Mobiles Kept Ringing Constantly
2 MIN READ

Police in Örebro: The Dead's Mobiles Kept Ringing Constantly

Twelve Lynxes Felled in Protective Hunting
1 MIN READ

Twelve Lynxes Felled in Protective Hunting

Kristersson addresses the nation tonight
1 MIN READ

Kristersson addresses the nation tonight

How security can be tightened in school buildings
3 MIN READ

How security can be tightened in school buildings

"Enormous film material" in the Örebro investigation
2 MIN READ

"Enormous film material" in the Örebro investigation

Explosion in Central Stockholm – Man Arrested
1 MIN READ

Explosion in Central Stockholm – Man Arrested

JO: Risk of Insecurity in Shared Cells
1 MIN READ

JO: Risk of Insecurity in Shared Cells

Man injured after snowmobile crash into barn
1 MIN READ

Man injured after snowmobile crash into barn

Boy Seriously Injured by Electric Shock on Railway Area
1 MIN READ

Boy Seriously Injured by Electric Shock on Railway Area

The Decision: The Parliamentary Ombudsman Does Not Investigate the Landerholm Affair
1 MIN READ

The Decision: The Parliamentary Ombudsman Does Not Investigate the Landerholm Affair

Car overturns – man seriously injured
1 MIN READ

Car overturns – man seriously injured

Man Dead in Villa Fire in Simrishamn
1 MIN READ

Man Dead in Villa Fire in Simrishamn

Two more suspects in double murder
1 MIN READ

Two more suspects in double murder

They become new spokespersons for the Green Youth
1 MIN READ

They become new spokespersons for the Green Youth

This is how Finland has prevented school attacks
3 MIN READ

This is how Finland has prevented school attacks

I saw the shooter up close: "He shoots, shoots"
2 MIN READ

I saw the shooter up close: "He shoots, shoots"