Thursday, January 29, 2015

Göran Hägglund resigns as party leader – Swedish Radio

Göran Hägglund resigns as party leader – Swedish Radio

After ten years as leader of the Christian Democratic Party resigns Göran Hägglund. He will be remembered because he managed to keep the party in parliament and for the Alliance. Now wait a party leadership contest.

– Right now, after all these maneuvers and December agreement and such so it was a bit surprising. At the same time, he is one of the leader as one for the parliamentary elections in 2014 discussed whether he would resign after the election because he served for ten years, concurrent know that the former leader of the Christian Democrats have been sitting for quite some time. Quite obviously it was not, and it’s always a little surprising when it arrives down, says Magnus Hagevi, associate professor of political science at Linnaeus University.

He says the timing is good because the threat of a possible new election is gone and that there is now an opening for him to resign without damaging the party too much.

Magnus Hagevi says Göran Hägglund has been a popular leader whose legacy will be all about him managed to keep the party in parliament and for his part in the Alliance. Pure sakpolitiskt it is more difficult and Hagevi says that some of the criticism against Hagglund has revolved around the Christian Democratic policies have been too vague.

– When his admission, he was given the crown prince after Svensson. He was challenged by Mats Odell. He won the challenge quite comfortable but it was still a significant minority who voted for Odell. This discussion within the party has continued. The thing that stands in contrast to that is that he is a relatively popular party leader, especially compared to his party that is not as popular among voters who Hagglund have been.

Now think Magnus Hagevi it ​​awaits a party leadership battle the Christian Democrats. He describes that the party has two strong factions. On the one hand the central KD-wing as Hagglund has belonged. Magnus Hagevi mention the party secretary Acko Ankarberg Johansson and former civil and housing minister Stefan Attefall as possible successors within the phalanx. But the group has also been challenged by a more conservative value phalanx, where Ebba Busch Thor, Mayor of Uppsala, is a strong name. Even Sara Skyttedal, president of the Youth League, is a potential candidate to run, but Magnus Hagevi think she is still too young.

Magnus Hagevi says it will be a battle but it is still unclear which grouping that will win.

– It’s a little hard to see right now because there is a change in the party. With the new proposal is more restrictive refugee policy, the more conservative wing moved its positions. It may be significant to the party leader election.

As it is far left until the next general election do not think Magnus Hagevi Göran Hägglund’s departure will have no direct impact on the party. Opinion polls are still low. Party’s main problems is that their electoral base is too small. Magnus Hagevi says KD right now trying to change the profile, and that a new leader can have an impact on both policy and voter support.

– This is about fundamental problem for the party. There is not the kind of voters for the party as Christian Democrats have been for a long time. Now they are trying to change it and get a different profile, a more conservative profile, such as the more restrictive refugee policies. It is, rather, that and the political content that may have a bearing on the Christian Democrats as the party and their support in such cases, says Magnus Hagevi.

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