The Swedish Left Party called on Anna-Karin Hatt, the newly appointed leader of the opposition Centre Party, to define her political stance clearly, warning that vague positioning could weaken the broader opposition’s chances against the ruling bloc, according to Euractiv.
Nooshi Dadgostar, leader of the Left Party, stressed that Hatt’s leadership must go beyond symbolic change and deliver a decisive shift in strategy if the Centre Party hopes to regain relevance. The party has struggled with internal divisions and declining support since Muharrem Demirok’s resignation in February amid dismal polling numbers.
Hatt, a former IT and energy minister and current CEO of the Swedish Farmers’ Association, brings rural credibility and government experience to the role. However, her party’s historical ambiguity–oscillating between centre-right and centre-left alliances–has left its future coalition options uncertain.
With Sweden’s opposition just three seats shy of a parliamentary majority, cooperation between the Centre Party, Left Party, Social Democrats, and Greens could prove decisive ahead of the 2026 election. However, Dadgostar warned that Hatt must clarify whether she would align with progressive forces or tolerate collaboration with the Sweden Democrats, a key ally of the current government.
You can’t be everywhere at once.
Hatt’s next moves will determine not only her party’s revival but also the opposition’s ability to mount a united challenge to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s coalition.
