Knowledgable and reviled, the party remained in the Riksdag but has at the same time been drawn with low confidence figures. That Per Bolund resigned today did not come as a shock.
– Considering the climate debate going on in society, there are many who regard the Green Party’s election results as downright lousy, says Per Hermanrud, political commentator for TV4 Nyheterna.
The actual announcement of Per Bolund’s departure came suddenly, but was not unexpected.
– It is quite expected that the Green Party will have to change mouthpieces. Both have suffered from chronically low trust figures for a long time and there has also been an internal discussion about the need to do something about the low trust figures, says Per Hermanrud.
– According to him, the reason why Per Bolund is leaving is that he has been in office for a long time. Another reason is that the party did manage to remain in the Riksdag, but that the Green Party is doing poorly in public opinion.
Both knowledgeable and scolded
What will Per Bolund’s imprint be?
– I think many people regard him as knowledgeable in environmental and climate issues, he has been the Deputy State Minister for Housing and Financial Markets.
– Those who appreciate the Green Party think that he is a good and skilled rhetorician in the debates, at the same time he has been met with massive opposition not least on social media where he has become a symbol of the Green Party which many use as an insult.
Who will take over?
Possible successors are Daniel Helldén, member of the Riksdag and former traffic council in Stockholm, and the former SVT meteorologist and now EU parliamentarian Pär Holmgren, says Per Hermanrud.
– Daniel Helldén is popular within the party, but he is not very well known outside of Stockholm. By far the most famous male politician in the Green Party is the meteorologist Pär Holmgren. Then the question is whether any of them can and want to stand up.
Within the party, there is also a discussion as to whether one should even retain the two-part party leadership role with two mouthpieces.
Per Bolund will remain in office until the Green Party’s general meeting in the autumn.