Internal Battle Over Immigration Issue Threatens Moderates’ Party Leadership
The Moderates’ party leadership is facing a crisis as internal factions clash over the immigration issue. Hanif Bali, a former Riksdag member, believes that the party should take a tougher stance on immigration, even surpassing the Sweden Democrats. This viewpoint has caused concern within the party, especially as the Moderates are experiencing a decline in opinion polls, particularly among female voters.
The tensions within the Moderates have prompted comparisons to a similar crisis faced by the party during the controversial FRA law issue. Former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt’s hardline approach to unite the party behind the law is being revisited, highlighting the internal divisions and dissent within the party’s ranks.
Hanif Bali’s radical stance on immigration has stirred controversy, with him calling for the Moderates to adopt an immigration policy that even surpasses that of the Sweden Democrats. This has raised questions about Ulf Kristersson’s ability to lead the party out of its current crisis, with Bali suggesting that the party might need a different leader to regain its standing with voters.
As the Moderates grapple with the fall in approval ratings and the exodus of female voters, the internal discord over the immigration issue appears to have set the stage for a battle over the party’s future. If the party fails to address these internal divisions and align on a coherent strategy, the Moderates risk following in the footsteps of other parties that were unable to navigate similar conflicts.