Liberalism and centrism in Sweden

This article gives an overview of liberalism and centrism in Sweden. It is limited to liberal and centrist parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in that scheme. For inclusion in this article it is not necessary for parties to have labelled themselves as a liberal party.

Background

Liberalism has been a major force in Sweden since the 19th century. And even before then, personalities like Anders Chydenius (1729 – 1803), promoted the ideals of liberalism.^[1] Nowadays The Liberals (Liberalerna, member of LI and ALDE) calls itself a centre-right liberal party. The Centre Party (Centerpartiet, member of LI and ALDE) is a historically agrarian party that has gradually developed into a liberal party. Since their party congress in 2013, they define themselves as a green, liberal party.^[2]

History

From People's Party to The Liberals

• 1895: The liberal wing of the Old Party of the Gentry (''Gamla Lantmannapartiet) seceded and formed the People's Party (Folkpartiet)
• 1900: The liberals are reorganised into the Liberal Coalition Party/Freeminded National Association (Liberala Samlingspartiet/Frisinnade Landsföreningen)
• 1922: The party fell apart into the Freeminded People's Party/Freeminded National Association (Frisinnade Folkpartiet/Frisinnade Landsföreningen) and the ⇒ Liberal Party of Sweden
• 1934: Both parties re-united into the People's Party (Folkpartiet)
• 1990: The party is renamed People's Party - The Liberals (Folkpartiet Liberalerna)
• 2015: The party shortened its name to The Liberals (Liberalerna).

Liberal Party of Sweden

• 1922: The Liberal Coalition Party fell apart into the ⇒ Freeminded People's Party and the Liberal Party of Sweden (Sveriges Liberala Parti)
• 1934: Both parties re-united into the ⇒ People's Party

Centre Party

• 1958: The agrarian Rural Party - Farmers' League (Landbygdspartiet Bondeförbundet) renamed itself into Centre Party (Centerpartiet) and evolved gradually from an agrarian into a more liberal direction.

Liberal leaders

• Freeminded National Association: Karl Staaff - Nils Edén - Carl Gustaf Ekman - Felix Hamrin
• Folkpartiet/Liberalerna: Bertil Ohlin - Gunnar Helén - Per Ahlmark - Ola Ullsten - Bengt Westerberg - Maria Leissner - Lars Leijonborg - Jan Björklund - Nyamko Sabuni - Johan Pehrson
• Centerpartiet: Thorbjörn Fälldin - Maud Olofsson - Annie Lööf - Muharrem Demirok

Liberal thinkers

In the Contributions to liberal theory the following Swedish thinkers are included:

• Anders Chydenius (1729–1803)
• Ivan Bratt (1878–1956)
• Bertil Ohlin (1899–1979)

See also

• History of Sweden
• Politics of Sweden
• List of political parties in Sweden