Internal Strife in Sweden Democrats as Key Politicians Defect
Two local politicians from the Sweden Democrats defect to the Christian Democrats amid internal budgetary disputes.
Key Points
- • Micke Pettersson and Tore Karlsson leave SD for Kristdemokraterna.
- • Their departure is linked to criticism of SD's 2026 budget proposal.
- • Tony Källgren acknowledges the situation as tragic but unsurprising.
- • The defections highlight internal conflicts and future challenges for SD.
In a significant political shift within Falun, two local representatives of the Sweden Democrats (SD), Micke Pettersson and Tore Karlsson, have announced their defection to the Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna). This move comes in response to growing dissatisfaction with SD's proposed budget for 2026, which both politicians criticized as unsatisfactory.
Tony Källgren, the group leader for SD in Falun, addressed the departures, expressing that the situation is "tragic but not unexpected". The change illustrates the mounting internal dissent over the SD's financial strategies and leadership direction, with tensions surfacing at a critical time leading up to the upcoming budget discussions for 2026.
The defections signal a potential shift in local party dynamics and could foreshadow further challenges for SD as they navigate both criticism from within and potential electoral impacts. The actions of Pettersson and Karlsson reflect broader concerns regarding party unity and strategy as they aim to solidify their position ahead of the next election cycle.