Magdalena Andersson and Annie Lööf the best in SVT’s party leader debate

Annie Lööf (C) and Magdalena Andersson (S) won the party leader debate, according to Demoskop’s survey commissioned by Aftonbladet.

Lööf was also rated higher by environmentalists than the mouthpiece Per Bolund.

Ulf Kristersson lost first place after several wins in a row.

The eight party leaders clashed in a debate on SVT’s Agenda during Sunday evening. The last party leader debate of the year and the first televised debate after the election in September.

– The whole debate was about finding new positions after the change of government and some were more tentative than others, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson, opinion analyst at Demoskop.

It was the last party leader debate ever for outgoing C leader Annie Lööf. And she took first place, together with Magdalena Andersson (S). That’s according to Demoskop’s survey on behalf of Aftonbladet.

– Annie Lööf had a freer position than before the election. She had good energy and stood up for humanity, which appeals to many viewers within the opposition. She could sometimes distance herself from the left-wing bloc and at the same time criticize the right-wing, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson.

After the debate, Annie Lööf was happy, and a little surprised, about the win.

– Oh, so nice. You are not spoiled for that. It’s incredibly fun that the voters saw my commitment and that I get to round off my time as party leader with it, she says.

Lööf more popular than Bolund among MPs

Annie Lööf was also more than approved by environmentalists who watched.

– She even got a higher rating from environmentalists than the mouthpiece Per Bolund got and that stands out, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson.

In third place came Jimmie Åkesson (SD), who continues to have his own voters behind him.

– It was the first time he stood in a debate and got to defend himself as part of the government’s background. In the survey, we see no signs that his voters among the viewers are turning their backs on him, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson.

Kristersson overtaken

Ulf Kristersson ended up in fourth place in his first party leader debate as prime minister. He has previously finished in first place, several debates in a row, before the election.

– It is a clear interruption. Kristersson did not get as high a rating as he usually gets from those who vote for the right-wing parties. That is probably why he gets overtaken, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson.

Opposition leader Magdalena Andersson (S) was also a little surprised that she won.

– Yes, that was nice to hear. A bit unusual, she says.

During the debate, she often attacked Prime Minister Kristersson.

– It was a prime ministerial battle where you could clearly see Andersson urging Kristersson that he is now prime minister and questioning what he should do next. She could point to broken election promises and didn’t have to stand on the defensive, says Pelle Ahlin Olofsson.

Facts

The result of Demoskop’s survey:

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