A mouthpiece, or a party leader, is out of the question. Then three who want to replace the Green Party’s Per Bolund intend to withdraw their candidacies.
– To me, it is completely unreasonable, says Magnus P Wåhlin from Växjö.
Today is the last day for members of the Green Party to nominate who they want to see as spokesperson for Per Bolund. He has announced that he is resigning in connection with the party’s congress in November after four years in the post.
The position of female spokesperson, held by Märta Stenevi, is also up for re-election. But no one has yet announced that they are challenging her.
However, there are more and more candidates for Per Bolund’s place. Recently, Torbjörn Nilsson, member of the party board and spokesperson for the party in Värmland, announced that he is running.
– We can try to get even better at communication, that’s what I think we have to work on – even if it’s not easy.
“Do a good job”
Magnus P Wåhlin, who challenged Per Bolund in 2019, is also giving it another chance. He also sits on the party board.
– I have thought about it and believe that I would be a good fit in the situation that the party is now in before the 2026 election, and above all it would be a lot of fun, he says.
But none of them wants to run if the party comes to the conclusion that the two-spoke model should be scrapped for a party leader.
– I will not run if it is the case that you decide to only have one mouthpiece. I mean we can’t after 40 years as an equal party, the first time we change it, elect a man. To me, that is completely unreasonable, says Wåhlin.
– We are created out of the women’s movement. To then decide that we should have a man, for me, would go against everything that our party stands for. Then after a few years we might be able to have it.
Torbjörn Nilsson also does not want to run if the leadership role changes and praises Märta Stenevi.
– I think Märta is doing a good job, I see no reason to try to replace her.
Voting soon
The Green Youth Association believes that it would be better to have a mouthpiece and has arranged for an advisory vote on the issue. It will be held in the middle of September, a date for it has not yet been set. It will then be up to the representatives to have their say.
The justification for scrapping two mouthpieces is that the media landscape has changed so much that it would be better for the party to have a clear outward voice.
– I think it’s underestimating the voters, then I understand that it might be better in the media, says Wåhlin.
Then he won’t run
Martin Marmgren is the third man to announce his candidacy to succeed Bolund. He is a police officer in Stockholm and sits on MP’s party board.
For him, the structure of the leadership is not a big issue, it is not decisive for the opinion figures with one or two mouthpieces, he says.
But even he does not intend to run if the leadership is to be held by only one man.
– I am running on the condition that a male spokesperson is chosen. I would not run as a sole spokesperson, he says.
Other names that are being speculated about are Daniel Helldén, Member of Parliament and former traffic citizen council in Stockholm, and EU parliamentarian and former SVT meteorologist Pär Holmgren.
The two municipal councilors Henrik Ölvebo and Henrik Blind have also been mentioned in this context.
On Monday next week, those who have been nominated must announce whether they accept or reject the nomination.
FACTS The Environmental Party’s choice of new mouthpieces
August 15 is the last nomination day for members.
On August 21, those who have been nominated must announce whether they accept or reject the nomination.
In September, an advisory vote is held among the representatives to see if the party should have one or two spokespersons. If there is more than a three-quarters majority in that vote – to scrap the two-spoke model – the congress can decide on the issue this autumn. If there is a majority but less than a three-quarters majority, two ordinary congresses must decide on the matter.
In September and October, candidate hearings are planned.
On October 17, the National Election Committee must present its proposal to Congress.
Per Bolund’s successor will be chosen at the party’s congress in Örebro on November 17–19.
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