Perhaps the most lively element in an unusually boring and substantively poor election campaign was the association Tecknaruppropet. In the book "Historien om Sverige. Tidötiden 2022–2026", they argued with the government in ten powerful chapters:
Chastise (legal policy), port (migration policy), slander (climate policy), arm (defense policy), scold (foreign policy), rob (welfare policy), wash (cultural policy), bully (nationalism), mold (corruption) and sneeze (fascism).
Not so stupid satire. Sometimes exaggerations are required if the truth is to be revealed.
I would have rather read Maggie Strömberg and Torbjörn Nilsson's reportage book "L'amour toujours. The Story of Tidö" before the election. Can't we look forward, can we return now?
Yes, actually. Because it is an expert, empathetic and entertaining book about Swedish politics. A rare combination – and with many tear-jerking scenes. But the authors will receive criticism for consistently quoting lines that they could not reasonably have heard themselves. Of course, it increases the reading value when you put words in people's mouths, but in some cases lowers credibility.
SvD's radar pair uses both wide angle and zoom to find the right distances to the objects and subjects. The prose is rap and slightly ironic. Sometimes with really nerdy historical comparisons and digressions that give perspective and coolness when things get hot. The style is recognizable from the predecessor about Sweden's NATO entry: "High above the sea" (2024).
Scenes out a political marriage is promised. True love was hardly the question. It quickly becomes obvious that Ulf Kristersson and Jimmie Åkesson lack chemistry
They have followed the entire reign as reporters and commentators. On trips and in the chamber. And made 419 interviews with 193 people. With party leaders, ministers, state secretaries, members of the Riksdag, diplomats, officials in the government and the Riksdag. According to his own statement, usually in the form of "background interviews", where a promise of anonymity has been obtained.
Scenes out a political marriage is promised. True love was hardly the question. It quickly becomes apparent that Ulf Kristersson and Jimmie Åkesson lack chemistry. But the former's base gathered only 103 mandates and therefore desperately needed the latter's 73.
Because the traitor Annie Lööf had refused to cooperate with the Sweden Democrats and sold her Centern to the opposition and became an object of hatred within the right. And how loyal were the Liberals? Difficult to get on the train. Actually zero in common with SD. The Christian Democrats, that is the solo rider Ebba Busch, wanted to form a government without L. But Kristersson didn't want that. Prepared for quarrels and tough negotiations.
And so it happened. The worst crises were averted by the strategists in the Coordination Office, who had the thankless task of agreeing and interpreting the vagaries of the Tidö Agreement. SD always came out tough and wanted everything right away. Very different party cultures.
The chapter from Tidö castle is funny. Reminiscent of a bedchamber farce where there is a slamming of doors and it seems at first to be going nowhere. But when night falls and the whiskey is set out by the fire in the historic setting – Axel Oxenstierna's old castle itself – the stiffest old men thaw out and are soon ready to sign the document with their former enemies.
By then, the more flexible Elisabeth Svantesson had already replaced the rigid Tobias Billström, and the negotiations went more easily for the Moderates.
One thing becomes crystal clear. It is the fast and ruthless Ebba Busch who draws the Sweden Democrats into the heat when Ulf Kristersson hesitates
There is a certain monotony in "L'amour toujours". It rolls along nicely, but lacks big surprises, and you get heartily tired of how rotten party politics can be. Principles being sold left and right. But they are masters at brushing themselves off and moving on, the professional politicians.
One thing becomes crystal clear. It is the speedy and ruthless Ebba Busch who draws the Sweden Democrats into the heat when Ulf Kristersson hesitates. He can kindly hang on. The Prime Minister who is allegedly a social animal who is close to laughter but is a little too fond of the office itself. And likes to adopt "a smug and slightly superior tone".
Most devastating are the sections on legal and migration policy. How the riddle and the lawyer Gunnar Strömmer go so far as to meet SD that all liberal principles go in the trash. The criticism was harsh from many heavy referral bodies. And finally, the whole soup became indefensible when well-behaved teenagers were brutally expelled – despite massive popular protests.
Sweden has never had such an extreme, nationalist and heartless government in modern times. And for the record, I would like to state that the blue-and-yellow team that Kristersson raves about is the preserve of the entire nation's national team.
Jimmie Åkesson gets the book's last line: "There will be more elections. I'm aiming for the post of prime minister in 2030."
