Swedish election: SD leader softens threat to dump Liberals

GÄVLE-HORNDAL — Jimmie Åkesson is backing away from his earlier promise to abandon the Liberal Party if they lag in the polls. With ten days left until the election, the Sweden Democrat leader now says he wants to wait for more survey data before making any final decision. Åkesson had previously issued an ultimatum: if the Liberals remained weak in opinion polls, his party would end cooperation with them. But speaking on the campaign trail, he signaled a more cautious approach. “We need to see more measurements before we draw conclusions,” he said. The shift comes as both parties jockey for position ahead of the vote. Åkesson’s original threat was seen as a pressure tactic, but his new tone suggests he is keeping options open. The final decision, he indicated, will depend on where the numbers stand in the coming days.