Former People's Party leader Lars Leijonborg says the Liberals' polling situation is catastrophic.
If I can help in any way to lift it, I want to do so.
Leijonborg says he received a text message from party leader Simona Mohamsson on Tuesday. He said he was flattered and happy.
I was a little surprised at first and it took me a while before I really realized that it was serious.
After thinking for a while, I realized: I feel good, I have time, and I feel extremely strongly that the Liberals must win the election this fall. That combination made me actually say yes.
Warns of the red-greens
He emphasizes that there will be no Tidö government unless L clears the election threshold. He emphasizes that the “rock-hard” fight against the gangs must continue, as must strict immigration policies, investments in nuclear power, and strong support for Ukraine and NATO.
All of this would be changed if the red-greens came back, says Leijonborg.
A week ago, Mohamsson announced during a press conference with SD's Jimmie Åkesson that she had changed her stance and that L would allow SD into government in exchange for substantive policy.
Lars Leijonborg supports the decision. It was obvious that the previous stance was very difficult to communicate, he says.
"I think what Simona did a week ago means a lot for the party's ability to talk about its own issues and not constantly get stuck on the government issue," he says.
However, he does not support a central part of the agreement between L and SD, which is to phase out profits from Swedish schools.
"We have slightly different opinions there. I have a number of ideas on how this sector can be tightened up, but I may not be in favor of a profit ban," says Leijonborg, who has served as chairman of the National Association of Independent Schools.
Supports the SD line
Have you always thought it was a good idea to let SD into government?
For me, it is very natural to have a relationship with those who have been elected by the voters, and if you are confident in your own values, you don't need to be "eaten up" by your opponents, says Leijonborg.
You've been called the Lion King in the media before - are you the one who comes in and saves L now?
I hope so, we'll see. I think Simona will carry the main load.
Party leader Simona Mohamsson is happy about the announcement:
"It is a statement of strength for the Liberals. His values, will to reform and experience strengthen our party and the work for our ideas," she says.
Leijonborg was born in 1949 in Täby in Stockholm County.
He was party leader of the Liberal People's Party between 1997 and 2007 and was one of the initiators of the Alliance - the collaboration between center-right parties.
During the government of Moderate Party leader Fredrik Reinfeldt from 2006 to 2014, Leijonborg was first Minister of Education and then Minister of Higher Education and Research from 2006 to 2009.
