Lisa Nåbo, the 30-year-old chairwoman of the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU), has announced her resignation, effective August 2025. A new mother, Nåbo expresses a desire to return to her hometown of Linköping and resume her aspirations of becoming a police officer. She believes it’s time for someone younger, more in tune with the current generation of 16-year-olds, to lead the SSU. This decision comes after a tumultuous period for both the SSU and the Social Democratic Party, marked by controversy surrounding aggressive sales tactics employed by Kombispel, a lottery company owned by the SSU and the party.
Nåbo’s tenure as chairwoman began in 2021, focusing initially on crime and advocating for tougher measures. However, the SSU’s current priorities, as presented to the party congress, center on economic policies: integrating dental care into the high-cost protection scheme, banning profits in welfare services, providing free public transport for children and young people, and implementing a wealth tax. Nåbo emphasizes these economic issues as the most crucial for the SSU, particularly advocating for increased public sector investment, even if it means increasing national debt, a stance contrasting with the balanced budget approach agreed upon by the governing coalition and the Social Democrats.
The Kombispel scandal has undoubtedly impacted Nåbo’s final year as chairwoman. The lottery company, a significant source of funding for the SSU, came under fire after reports revealed aggressive sales tactics targeting vulnerable elderly individuals. While Nåbo claims to have had no involvement in the company’s daily operations or knowledge of the sales scripts, she acknowledges the need for greater oversight in retrospect. Two SSU board members who also served on Kombispel’s board resigned from the latter following the scandal, but remain on the SSU board, a decision Nåbo attributes to the continued trust placed in them by SSU members.
Beyond the Kombispel controversy, Nåbo expresses dissatisfaction with the Social Democrats’ current political alliances. She criticizes the balanced budget agreement, arguing that it hinders necessary investments in the public sector and deems it dishonest to voters. Looking ahead to the next general election, she advocates for a Social Democrat-only government, dismissing the Vänsterpartiet’s demands for a coalition government as an empty threat and criticizing the Centerpartiet’s economic policies as ”far-right.” She believes the Social Democrats don’t need to accommodate smaller parties, especially the Centerpartiet, whose leader she points out lacked popular support in recent polls.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Nåbo maintains that the Kombispel affair did not directly influence her decision to step down, although she admits the experience was personally taxing and led to many sleepless nights reflecting on what could have been done differently. She was particularly affected by the media’s focus on her appearance during the scandal, feeling it diminished her role and contributions. The experience, while difficult, has solidified her commitment to her initial ambition of becoming a police officer.
While eager to return to her hometown and pursue her career in law enforcement, Nåbo doesn’t completely rule out a future in politics. Recognizing the 15 years she dedicated to the SSU, she acknowledges the potential to build upon that experience, mentioning the possibility of local politics but not dismissing higher office, such as a parliamentary seat or even the leadership of the Social Democratic Party. However, for the time being, her focus is firmly set on a different kind of public service, behind the wheel of a police car.
