Can the Swedish prime minister’s new podcast improve his fortunes in this year’s election?

Ulf Kristersson answers calls from voters in informal weekly show, on topics from women’s safety to beer

“Hi Ulf!” says a male voice from the Swedish prime minister’s answering machine. “Just wondering how many beers you have on a Saturday night?”

Another caller to Ulf Kristersson’s new podcast Ring statsministern! (Call the prime minister!), asks whether he is friends with Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats party who simultaneously backs his government and is a rival in the upcoming general election.

With the countdown on to the vote in September – and Kristersson’s polling not looking exactly favourable – the centre-right Moderates party launched a weekly podcast this week on Spotify and YouTube with the aim of offering voters a direct line to the prime minister. Listeners are invited to “pose questions, come with ideas and share experiences”.

In response to the calls, which also include questions on violence against women and his government’s decision to send 13-year-olds to prison, Kristersson tries to take a friendly conversational tone.