Liberals
A clear guide to Liberals (Liberalerna) in Sweden: its history, liberalism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Sweden
- Founded
- 1934 (as the People's Party)
- Position
- Centre-right
- Leader
- Simona Mohamsson
- Headquarters
- Stockholm
The Liberals (Liberalerna, L), known until 2015 as the Liberal People's Party, are a centre-right liberal party. They were a junior partner in Ulf Kristersson's government from 2022 to 2026, with a focus on education, integration and gender equality. Simona Mohamsson became leader in 2025 and in 2026 said the party was open to the Sweden Democrats entering government.
History
The party was founded in 1934 and was a leading force in Swedish liberalism, at times the main opposition party. It took part in non-socialist governments from 1976 to 1982 and 1991 to 1994, and in the Alliance government from 2006 to 2014.
Under Jan Björklund in the 2000s and 2010s the party moved to more conservative-liberal positions on schools and law and order. Johan Pehrson led it into the Kristersson government in 2022 and resigned in 2025 amid low polling.
Economic Policy
The Liberals support a market economy, lower taxes, and reforms to improve schools, including stronger teacher status and a focus on knowledge.
Foreign Policy
The Liberals are among Sweden's most pro-European parties, the only Riksdag party to support adopting the euro, and they long advocated NATO membership.
Where They Stand
- Prioritises school reform and knowledge-based education
- Supports Swedish adoption of the euro
- Long advocated NATO membership
- Takes a firm line against honour-related violence
- Supports LGBT rights and gender equality
Electoral Record
The party won 4.6 percent in 2022 and 5.3 percent and 19 seats in 2026.
Position on the Political Compass
Liberals sits on the right-leaning side on economics and is moderate on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Bengt Westerberg
Party leader, 1983 to 1995
Deputy prime minister in the Bildt government.
Jan Björklund
Party leader, 2007 to 2019
Education minister in the Alliance government.
Simona Mohamsson
Party leader since 2025
Succeeded Johan Pehrson and led the party into the 2026 election.
Sources and Further Reading
- Liberals (Sweden) (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websiteliberalerna.se
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Sweden political test to see how your views compare with Liberals and the other parties.
Take the Sweden Test
Social Policy
The party is socially liberal, supporting LGBT rights and gender equality, but favours stricter demands on integration, Swedish language learning and the fight against honour-related violence.