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Frontrunner in Swedish polls tries to save campaign after TV debate gaffe Frontrunner in Swedish polls tries to save campaign after TV debate gaffe
(8 months later)
The frontrunner in the Swedish general election this weekend is scrambling to stop his campaign being damaged after he shooed away a political adversary during a television debate.The frontrunner in the Swedish general election this weekend is scrambling to stop his campaign being damaged after he shooed away a political adversary during a television debate.
With questions being raised about Stefan Löfven's statesmanship, the election favourite's TV debate clash with the enterprise minister, Annie Lööf, could not have come at a worse time.With questions being raised about Stefan Löfven's statesmanship, the election favourite's TV debate clash with the enterprise minister, Annie Lööf, could not have come at a worse time.
In a political stunt, the Centre party leader, Lööf, 31, walked over to Löfven, 57, a Social Democrat, to hand him a paper on energy. The flustered opposition leader then raised his arm and brushed her hand away, under the glare of the cameras.In a political stunt, the Centre party leader, Lööf, 31, walked over to Löfven, 57, a Social Democrat, to hand him a paper on energy. The flustered opposition leader then raised his arm and brushed her hand away, under the glare of the cameras.
Sweden is known for an understated manner of public debate where outbursts on TV are often frowned upon – and where equality for women is sacred.Sweden is known for an understated manner of public debate where outbursts on TV are often frowned upon – and where equality for women is sacred.
Thursday night's incident made headlines in Sweden and the centre-right government, lagging in the polls, seized on the image of an older man brushing away a younger woman to question the opposition candidate's credentials for prime minister.Thursday night's incident made headlines in Sweden and the centre-right government, lagging in the polls, seized on the image of an older man brushing away a younger woman to question the opposition candidate's credentials for prime minister.
"I think tonight we saw how Social Democrat strongmen behave," said the prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, who quietly stood between the two bickering politicians during the clash. "It's power they seek, it's power they want. They are not interested in taking help from others.""I think tonight we saw how Social Democrat strongmen behave," said the prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, who quietly stood between the two bickering politicians during the clash. "It's power they seek, it's power they want. They are not interested in taking help from others."
For his part, Löfven rejected criticism of his performance, saying Lööf's stunt smacked of the antics of an undisciplined party youth wing. "It was not so bad," he said.For his part, Löfven rejected criticism of his performance, saying Lööf's stunt smacked of the antics of an undisciplined party youth wing. "It was not so bad," he said.
Lööf, whose party is a member of the current ruling coalition, said after the debate: "It was not wise statesmanship by Stefan Löfven."Lööf, whose party is a member of the current ruling coalition, said after the debate: "It was not wise statesmanship by Stefan Löfven."
Löfven is ahead in the polls on promises to raise spending on schools and hospitals and raise taxes after eight years of Reinfeldt trimming welfare. But his lead has narrowed to single digits in recent weeks – in part due to doubts about the former trade unionist's experience to run the country.Löfven is ahead in the polls on promises to raise spending on schools and hospitals and raise taxes after eight years of Reinfeldt trimming welfare. But his lead has narrowed to single digits in recent weeks – in part due to doubts about the former trade unionist's experience to run the country.
At stake is who will lead one of Europe's most successful economies. Despite growth outdoing the eurozone since the financial crisis, a housing boom and falling taxes, Löfven hopes to capitalise on voters seeking a return to Sweden's older image of cradle-to-grave welfare and job security.At stake is who will lead one of Europe's most successful economies. Despite growth outdoing the eurozone since the financial crisis, a housing boom and falling taxes, Löfven hopes to capitalise on voters seeking a return to Sweden's older image of cradle-to-grave welfare and job security.
He has wide experience in industry as a trade unionist – many executives like him for his work reaching wage deals with companies during the financial crisis. His image of a quietly spoken politician had helped many voters put their trust in him.He has wide experience in industry as a trade unionist – many executives like him for his work reaching wage deals with companies during the financial crisis. His image of a quietly spoken politician had helped many voters put their trust in him.
But Löfven has never been elected to national political office and Thursday's loss of control may have added to that uncertainty about his ability to govern.But Löfven has never been elected to national political office and Thursday's loss of control may have added to that uncertainty about his ability to govern.
"It is hard to know the impact of what he did. But Löfven fell into a trap. He should never have done it," said political scientist Marie Demker at the University of Gothenburg. "He is just not as comfortable as Reinfeldt on television or as a public speaker.""It is hard to know the impact of what he did. But Löfven fell into a trap. He should never have done it," said political scientist Marie Demker at the University of Gothenburg. "He is just not as comfortable as Reinfeldt on television or as a public speaker."
Polls show centre-left parties lead the government by around 6 percentage points. Reinfeldt, however, has benefited from some voters trusting his track record in the face of the expected impasse after the vote - pollsters say neither the left nor right may garner a parliamentary majority.Polls show centre-left parties lead the government by around 6 percentage points. Reinfeldt, however, has benefited from some voters trusting his track record in the face of the expected impasse after the vote - pollsters say neither the left nor right may garner a parliamentary majority.
The Social Democrats, founders of Sweden's welfare state, would often take nearly 50 percent of the vote in elections in the past few decades.The Social Democrats, founders of Sweden's welfare state, would often take nearly 50 percent of the vote in elections in the past few decades.
But even though Löfven may win Sunday's vote, his party may suffer its worse performance in a century with less than 30% of votes, polls show. But even though Löfven may win Sunday's vote, his party may suffer its worse performance in a century with less than 30% of votes, polls show.