The political scientists: They can take over after Sjöstedt

Jenny Madestam, associate professor of political science at Södertörn University, believes that Nooshi Dadgostar is a hot candidate to take over when Jonas Sjöstedt resigns from the post of leader of the Left Party.

"Dadgostar is perhaps a little more radical than Sjöstedt, but will continue to hold his" pressure the government "line," says Jenny Madestam.

Nooshi Dadgostar was appointed Vice Party Chairman 2018, which is one of the things that speaks to her according to Madestam.

- Many people look towards the vice-chair when a new party leader is to be appointed for sitting in that chair for a reason.

Ulf Bjereld, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg and active in the Social Democrats, also sees Dadgostar as a likely candidate. He points out in particular that she has been given the confidence to lead a state investigation.

Stig-Björn Ljunggren, a Ph.D. in Political Science and a member of the Social Democrats, believes that Dadgostar is popular within his own party but has a low profile from the outside. Something that can be both positive and negative, according to him.

Both he and Ulf Bjereld mention Ali Esbati as a more familiar face instead.

- He is confrontational and high profile, smart but somewhat controversial, says Stig-Björn Ljunggren.

According to Ulf Bjereld, Ali Esbati has "matured into a very heavy politician" but has the fact that he is a man against him. All three experts with whom SVT talks agree that the next party leader should become a woman if the Left Party lives up to its feminist profile. On the other hand, the issue of shared leadership could be relevant.

- It depends on whether you think a person can manage to keep the party together, which will be the most important task for the new party leader, says Ulf Bjereld.

Even the veteran Ulla Andersson, economic-political spokesperson who ran for the party leader post in 2011, is highlighted by all three as an obvious candidate - if she wants to stand this time. "Working class, woman and ready", Ljunggren says most of the criteria, and a long experience also weigh heavily.

- She was seriously challenged the last time she ran, and even then the issue of shared leadership was raised, says Ulf Bjereld.

Speculation also mentions Rossana Dinamarca. After announcing that she does not intend to continue as a parliamentary member when she feels "invisible" by her own party, she has openly criticized the leadership.

- Her criticism of a mighty leadership shows that she herself is interested. But many of the other candidates want to continue on roughly the same line as Sjöstedt, says Jenny Madestam.

Footnote: Ulf Bjereld is familiar with Nooshi Dadgostar's parents and Stig-Björn Ljunggren's relative is in a relationship with Ulla Andersson.