How reforming Conservatives fall: an interview with Fredrik Reinfeldt

A modernising, young Prime Minister advocates free schools, cuts taxes and oversees a job creation miracle – could voters really kick him out? It happened in Sweden six months ago when Fredrik Reinfeldt lost the general election, even though his successor failed to win a majority. Earlier this year, I caught up with Reinfeldt to talk to him about politics – and the problems of converting economic success into political capital His defenestration seemed horribly unfair. While much of Europe was in economic agony, Sweden was not: at the time, if you asked about the recession you were met with a blank stare. To an outsider visiting Sweden, its economic recovery was extraordinary. But to Swedes, it was rather boring.  Speaking in an office next to the Swedish parliament, Reinfeldt says his party fell victim to the paradox of success. “It was a feel-good factor that took attention away from issues that are important for my party [ie, the economy].”