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Centre Party (Sweden)
Encyclopedia
The Centre Party is a centrist
political party in Sweden
. The party maintains close ties to rural Sweden and describes itself as "a green social liberal party". The ideology is sometimes called agrarian
, but in a European context, the Centre Party can perhaps best be characterized as social liberal
focusing on agricultural, environmental
, and rural questions. Long-term key issues have been opposition to nuclear power
and proposals to decentralize
governmental authority.
The party was founded in 1913 as the Farmers' League . In 1922 it merged with Jordbrukarnas Riksförbund (National Farmers Union). During the 1930s, the party pursued the strongest (omitting the short-lived National League of Sweden
) and most notable pro-Nazi agenda, with its 1933 programme calling for "preservation of the Swedish people from any interference of foreign inferior racial elements
[and] opposition of immigration to Sweden by unwanted strangers
". Modern party leadership has firmly condemned such associations.
The name of the party changed from Bondeförbundet in 1957. It had then been the closest ally of the Social Democrats for 25 years, and coalition partners 1936–1945 as well as 1951–1957, but has since revised this strategy in order to establish a closer long-term alliance between the centre-right (Swedish borgerlig, lit. "bourgeois" or "nonsocialist") parties, that succeeded the Social Democratic cabinets 1976–1982 and 1991–1994. The Swedish Prime Minister Torbjörn Fälldin was the leader of the Centre Party and Prime Minister in 1976-1982, excepting a short interregnum in 1978-1979 by Liberal People's Party leader Ola Ullsten
.
The Centre Party joined a centre-right government once again following the 1991 election, however, this government was led by the Moderate party leader Carl Bildt. The Centre party left the government in early 1994 following a decision by the Riksdag to allow the construction of the Öresund bridge, something the Centre party opposed as they instead wanted a railway tunnel. Following this decision, the Centre Party instead started to work more closely with the Social democrats for a number of years.
In recent years however, the party has changed direction to become a more classical liberal party, which has attracted interest from voters in urban areas. In 2006 the Centerpartiet was the fastest growing party in Stockholm.
In 2005 the Centre Party sold its ownership of the newspaper group Centertidningar AB
for 1.8 billion
SEK
, thus making it the richest political party in the world.
was a success for the Centre Party. Their support had been slowly increasing through the past elections. In 1998, the Centre Party received 5.1% of the votes, and support increased to 6.2% in 2002. In the 2006 elections, 7.88% of the vote went to the Centre Party, entitling them to 29 of the 349 seats in the Swedish Riksdag
. Furthermore, their alliance with the other parties in the Alliance for Sweden
, a coalition which won a majority of parliament seats in this election, meant that the Centre Party shared the ministry posts with their Alliance for Sweden allies: the Moderate Party
, the Liberal People's Party
and the Christian Democratic Party.
, they have proposed to double the number of immigrants entering Sweden to 90 000 persons, or 1 per cent of the Swedish population. This will be facilitated by issuing green cards.
. The party is against the introduction of the Euro in Sweden, and was a part of the winning no-side in the Euro referendum
in 2003.
In the European Parliament
Centerpartiet is part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
.
Traditionally, many of the voters come from rural areas and quite a few are farmers or small businessmen. In recent years however, since the takeover of Maud Olofsson
the party has been attracting liberal
voters from urban areas. It is believed that voters from the Liberal People's Party
have been moving to Centerpartiet due to changes in both parties.
Nordic Agrarian parties
The Nordic agrarian parties, or Nordic Centre parties, are agrarian political parties that belong to a political tradition peculiar to the Nordic countries...
political party in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The party maintains close ties to rural Sweden and describes itself as "a green social liberal party". The ideology is sometimes called agrarian
Agrarianism
Agrarianism has two common meanings. The first meaning refers to a social philosophy or political philosophy which values rural society as superior to urban society, the independent farmer as superior to the paid worker, and sees farming as a way of life that can shape the ideal social values...
, but in a European context, the Centre Party can perhaps best be characterized as social liberal
Social liberalism
Social liberalism is the belief that liberalism should include social justice. It differs from classical liberalism in that it believes the legitimate role of the state includes addressing economic and social issues such as unemployment, health care, and education while simultaneously expanding...
focusing on agricultural, environmental
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
, and rural questions. Long-term key issues have been opposition to nuclear power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
and proposals to decentralize
Décentralisation
Décentralisation is a french word for both a policy concept in French politics from 1968-1990, and a term employed to describe the results of observations of the evolution of spatial economic and institutional organization of France....
governmental authority.
The party was founded in 1913 as the Farmers' League . In 1922 it merged with Jordbrukarnas Riksförbund (National Farmers Union). During the 1930s, the party pursued the strongest (omitting the short-lived National League of Sweden
National League of Sweden
The National Youth League of Sweden was the first youth organisation of the General Electoral Union of Sweden. It was dislodged from its mother party in 1934 due to its pro-Nazi stance. It was then reconstructed as a separate political party, the National League of Sweden...
) and most notable pro-Nazi agenda, with its 1933 programme calling for "preservation of the Swedish people from any interference of foreign inferior racial elements
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
[and] opposition of immigration to Sweden by unwanted strangers
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is defined as "an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange". It comes from the Greek words ξένος , meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φόβος , meaning "fear."...
". Modern party leadership has firmly condemned such associations.
The name of the party changed from Bondeförbundet in 1957. It had then been the closest ally of the Social Democrats for 25 years, and coalition partners 1936–1945 as well as 1951–1957, but has since revised this strategy in order to establish a closer long-term alliance between the centre-right (Swedish borgerlig, lit. "bourgeois" or "nonsocialist") parties, that succeeded the Social Democratic cabinets 1976–1982 and 1991–1994. The Swedish Prime Minister Torbjörn Fälldin was the leader of the Centre Party and Prime Minister in 1976-1982, excepting a short interregnum in 1978-1979 by Liberal People's Party leader Ola Ullsten
Ola Ullsten
Stig Kjell Olof Ullsten is a Swedish liberal politician, former Prime Minister of Sweden and former leader of the Swedish Liberal People's Party.-Background and early career:...
.
The Centre Party joined a centre-right government once again following the 1991 election, however, this government was led by the Moderate party leader Carl Bildt. The Centre party left the government in early 1994 following a decision by the Riksdag to allow the construction of the Öresund bridge, something the Centre party opposed as they instead wanted a railway tunnel. Following this decision, the Centre Party instead started to work more closely with the Social democrats for a number of years.
In recent years however, the party has changed direction to become a more classical liberal party, which has attracted interest from voters in urban areas. In 2006 the Centerpartiet was the fastest growing party in Stockholm.
In 2005 the Centre Party sold its ownership of the newspaper group Centertidningar AB
Centertidningar AB
Centertidningar AB was a media consortium, owned by the Swedish Centre Party. It included newspapers that the party had either started on their own or brought from competitors. It included Hallands Nyheter, Södermanlands Nyheter, Länstidningen i Södertälje, Nynäshamns Posten, Norrtelje Tidning,...
for 1.8 billion
1000000000 (number)
1,000,000,000 is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001.In scientific notation, it is written as 109....
SEK
Swedish krona
The krona has been the currency of Sweden since 1873. Both the ISO code "SEK" and currency sign "kr" are in common use; the former precedes or follows the value, the latter usually follows it, but especially in the past, it sometimes preceded the value...
, thus making it the richest political party in the world.
2006 Election
The 2006 Swedish electionSwedish general election, 2006
A general election was held in Sweden on 17 September 2006, to elect members to the Swedish parliament. All 349 seats were up for election: 310 "fixed seats" in 29 constituencies and 39 members at a national level for what are called "adjustment seats", used to ensure that parties have...
was a success for the Centre Party. Their support had been slowly increasing through the past elections. In 1998, the Centre Party received 5.1% of the votes, and support increased to 6.2% in 2002. In the 2006 elections, 7.88% of the vote went to the Centre Party, entitling them to 29 of the 349 seats in the Swedish Riksdag
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
. Furthermore, their alliance with the other parties in the Alliance for Sweden
Alliance for Sweden
The Alliance , formerly Alliance for Sweden , is a political alliance in Sweden. It consists of the four centre-right parties in the Riksdag...
, a coalition which won a majority of parliament seats in this election, meant that the Centre Party shared the ministry posts with their Alliance for Sweden allies: the Moderate Party
Moderate Party
The Moderate Party is a centre-right, liberal conservative political party in Sweden. The party was founded in 1904 as the General Electoral League by a group of conservatives in the Swedish parliament...
, the Liberal People's Party
Liberal People's Party (Sweden)
The Liberal People's Party is a political party in Sweden. The party advocates social liberalism and is part of the governing centre-right coalition The Alliance, which achieved a majority in the general election of 17 September 2006...
and the Christian Democratic Party.
Immigration
Centerpartiet is a pro-immigration party, and in their campaign for the Swedish general election, 2006Swedish general election, 2006
A general election was held in Sweden on 17 September 2006, to elect members to the Swedish parliament. All 349 seats were up for election: 310 "fixed seats" in 29 constituencies and 39 members at a national level for what are called "adjustment seats", used to ensure that parties have...
, they have proposed to double the number of immigrants entering Sweden to 90 000 persons, or 1 per cent of the Swedish population. This will be facilitated by issuing green cards.
European Union
Centerpartiet advocates a federative model for the European Union, governed by the principle of subsidiaritySubsidiarity
Subsidiarity is an organizing principle that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority. The Oxford English Dictionary defines subsidiarity as the idea that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which...
. The party is against the introduction of the Euro in Sweden, and was a part of the winning no-side in the Euro referendum
Swedish euro referendum, 2003
A referendum on introduction of the euro was held in Sweden on 14 September 2003.The voter turnout was 82.6%, and the suggestion failed by 55.9% against 42.0%. Sweden in Europe was the main umbrella group campigning for a Yes vote.-Result:...
in 2003.
In the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
Centerpartiet is part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party is a European political party mainly active in the European Union, composed of 56 national-level liberal and liberal-democratic parties from across Europe...
.
Voters
Maud Olofsson
Maud Elisabeth Olofsson is a Swedish politician, the former leader of the Centre Party of Sweden between 2001-2011, and the former Minister for Enterprise and Energy between 2006 and 2011...
the party has been attracting liberal
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
voters from urban areas. It is believed that voters from the Liberal People's Party
Liberal People's Party (Sweden)
The Liberal People's Party is a political party in Sweden. The party advocates social liberalism and is part of the governing centre-right coalition The Alliance, which achieved a majority in the general election of 17 September 2006...
have been moving to Centerpartiet due to changes in both parties.
Party Leaders
- Erik ErikssonErik ErikssonErik Eriksson of Spraxkya, in Borlänge, Dalarna, , was a Swedish politician. He was the first chairman of the Centre Party, but not its founder....
(1916–1920) - Johan Andersson (1920–1924)
- Johan JohanssonJohan JohanssonJohan Johansson may refer to:* Jóhann Jóhannsson, Icelandic musician* Johan Johansson , Swedish musician* Johan Johansson i Kälkebo, Swedish politician* Johan Petter Johansson, also known as JP Johansson, Swedish inventor and industrialist...
(1924–1928) - Olof Olsson (1928–1934)
- Axel Pehrsson-BramstorpAxel Pehrsson-BramstorpAxel Alarik Pehrsson-Bramstorp was a Swedish politician and was Prime Minister of Sweden for a few months during 1936. As a parliamentarian he was known as "Axel Pehrsson in Bramstorp" or just "Bramstorp" for short...
(1934–1949) - Gunnar HedlundGunnar HedlundGunnar Hedlund was a Swedish politician. He was chairman of the Centre Party 1949-1971, Home Secretary 1951-1957 and member of the Riksdag 1942-1976....
(1949–1971) - Thorbjörn FälldinThorbjörn FälldinThorbjörn Fälldin is a Swedish politician. He was Prime Minister of Sweden in three non-consecutive cabinets from 1976 to 1982, and leader of the Swedish Centre Party from 1971 to 1985...
(1971–1985) - Karin SöderKarin SöderKarin Anne Sofie Söder is a Swedish Centre politician. She was the first woman in Sweden to be elected the leader of a major political party. She headed the Swedish Centre Party from 1985 to 1987. She was also one of the first female foreign ministers in the world.-Biography:Söder was born in...
(1985–1987) - Olof JohanssonOlof JohanssonSten Olof Håkan Johansson is a Swedish politician, who was the leader of the Swedish Centre Party from 1987 to 1998 and Minister for the Environment 1991-1994....
(1987–1998) - Lennart DaléusLennart DaléusLennart Daléus is a Swedish politician, who was the leader of the Swedish Centre Party from 1998 to 2001.More recently, Lennart Daléus works as the general secretary of the Swedish Greenpeace.-References:...
(1998–2001) - Maud OlofssonMaud OlofssonMaud Elisabeth Olofsson is a Swedish politician, the former leader of the Centre Party of Sweden between 2001-2011, and the former Minister for Enterprise and Energy between 2006 and 2011...
(2001–2011) - Annie Lööf (2011–)
Current Members of Parliament
- Roger TiefenseeRoger TiefenseeRoger Tiefensee is a Swedish Centre Party politician, member of the Riksdag since 2002. After the 2010 Swedish election, he was named the Centre Party's parliamentary group leader.-References:...
- Karin NilssonKarin NilssonKarin Nilsson is a Swedish politician of the Centre Party, substitute member of the Riksdag since 2006.-External links:* at the Riksdag website...
- Johan LinanderJohan LinanderJohan Linander is a Swedish Centre Party politician, member of the Riksdag since 2002.-References:...
- Kerstin LundgrenKerstin LundgrenKerstin Lundgren is a Swedish Centre Party politician. She has been a member of the Riksdag since 2002. Ms. Lundgren is also a member of the AWEPA Governing Council.-External links:* at the Riksdag website...
- Per ÅslingPer ÅslingPer "Pelle" Anders Håkan Åsling is a Swedish politician of the Centre Party. He has been a member of the Riksdag since 2006.- External links :*...
- Solveig ZanderSolveig ZanderSolveig Zander is a Swedish Centre Party politician. She has been a member of the Riksdag since 2006.-External links:* at the Riksdag website...
- Anders Åkesson
- Annie Lööf
- Annika QarlssonAnnika QarlssonAnnika Qarlsson is a Swedish Centre Party politician. She has been a member of the Riksdag since 2002.-External links:* at the Riksdag website...
- Anders FlankingAnders FlankingAnders Flanking is a Swedish politician. He is party secretary for the Centre Party since 2006.-References:...
- Erik A. ErikssonErik A. ErikssonErik A. Eriksson is a Swedish politician. He is a member of the Centre Party. He is a member of the Parliament of Sweden since 2006.-References:...
- Fredrick FederleyFredrick FederleyBengt Fredrick Federley is a Swedish Centre Party politician, member of the Parliament of Sweden since 2006.- Youth and education :...
- Kenneth JohanssonKenneth JohanssonKenneth Johansson is a Swedish Centre Party politician, member of the Riksdag since 1998.-References:...
- Per Lodenius
- Staffan DanielssonStaffan DanielssonStaffan Danielsson is a Swedish Centre Party politician, and a member of the Riksdag since 2004.-References:...
- Ulrika CarlssonUlrika CarlssonUlrika Carlsson is a Swedish Centre Party politician. She has been a member of the Riksdag since 2006.-External links:* at the Riksdag website...
- Abir al-SahlaniAbir Al-SahlaniAbir Al-Sahlani is a Swedish politician and member of the Parliament of Sweden, representing the Centre Party. She was born on May 18, 1976 in Iraq and lives in Hägersten in Stockholm.-References:...
- Ola Johansson
- Per Ingvar Johnsson
- Anders Jonsson
- Emil Kallstrom
- Helena Lindahl
- Åsa TorstenssonÅsa Torstenssonthumb|Åsa Torstensson.Åsa-Britt Maria Torstensson is Swedish politician and a member of the Centre Party. She has a university degree in social work . She was a member of the Riksdag between 1998 and 2002 representing Västra Götaland County. Torstensson was re-elected to the Riksdag in the 2006...
See also
- Alliance for SwedenAlliance for SwedenThe Alliance , formerly Alliance for Sweden , is a political alliance in Sweden. It consists of the four centre-right parties in the Riksdag...
- Liberalism worldwideLiberalism worldwideThis article gives information on liberalism in diverse countries around the world. It is an overview of parties that adhere more or less to the ideas of political liberalism and is therefore a list of liberal parties around the world....
- List of liberal parties
- CentrismCentrismIn politics, centrism is the ideal or the practice of promoting policies that lie different from the standard political left and political right. Most commonly, this is visualized as part of the one-dimensional political spectrum of left-right politics, with centrism landing in the middle between...
- Green liberalismGreen liberalismGreen liberalism is a term used to refer to liberals who have incorporated green concerns into their ideology.- Philosophy :Green liberalism values the Earth very highly, and this philosophy highly values the planet being passed down to the next generation unharmed...
- Politics of SwedenPolitics of SwedenPolitics of Sweden takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the government, led by the Prime Minister of Sweden. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament, elected within a multi-party...
- Prime Minister of SwedenPrime Minister of SwedenThe Prime Minister is the head of government in the Kingdom of Sweden. Before the creation of the office of a Prime Minister in 1876, Sweden did not have a head of government separate from its head of state, namely the King, in whom the executive authority was vested...
- Government of SwedenGovernment of SwedenThe Government of the Kingdom of Sweden is the supreme executive authority of Sweden. It consists of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers appointed by the Prime Minister. The Government is responsible for their actions to the Riksdag, which is the legislative assembly...
- Parliament of SwedenParliament of SwedenThe Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
- Elections in SwedenElections in SwedenElections in the Kingdom of Sweden are held every four years, and determine the makeup of the legislative bodies on the three levels of administrative division in the country. At the highest level, these elections determine the allocation of seats in the Riksdag, the national legislative body of...
- Referendums in SwedenReferendums in SwedenSince the introduction of parliamentarism in Sweden, six referendums have been held. The constitution of 1974 provides for binding referendums. However, none of the referendums held have been binding but rather have been of an advisory and consultative nature and not formally binding on the...
External links
- Centerpartiet - Official site
- The Swedish Parliament: The Centre Party