Junker Party

The Junker Party (Swedish: Junkerpartiet) was a grouping in Swedish politics in the 1850s, although it never constituted an actual party. The Junkers were conservative nobles who, in opposition to August von Hartmansdorff [sv], wished to maintain the privileges of the nobility. In other respects, the Junkers represented a conservative political stance, for example on the issue of representation – they sought to maintain the Riksdag of the Estates as opposed to forming a parliamentary system of government, the Riksdag. To this end they aligned themselves with wealthy farmers.^[1] However, the party's conservative stance had some exceptions regarding customs policy, where they were more free-trade oriented. Crown Prince Charles, later Charles XV, drew his closest advisors from the Junker Party, his connection "making him suspect among liberals".^[2]

The first leader of the Junker Party was Otto Palmstierna [sv], soon replaced by Henning Hamilton. Other notable supporters include Gustaf Lagerbjelke, Gillis Bildt and Erik Josias Sparre [sv].^[3]

See also

• Estates of the Realm
• History of the Riksdag
• Politics of Sweden