This thesis investigates the Swedish Moderates? transformation under Fredrik Reinfeldt. The question at issue is as follows: What motive(s) were behind the Moderates? declared transformation after Reinfeldt became party leader? We define the actor who possesses the motives, which is Reinfeldt and his closest associates, and the action we want to explain. Indications of what motives the actor had are given in four separate chapters that together form the foundation of our conclusion. We examine (A) the actor's stated motives, (B) the actor's previous motives, (C) other similar actor's motives and (D) motives behind parties? actions in general. We received strong support for viability and societal change which indicates that the Moderates changed in order to make the policies more viable and to adapt to certain changes in the society. Vote-maximisation got support, although not as strong as viability and societal change. Still, there is a possibility that vote-maximisation was very important for the Moderates. The motive is often denied by parties and is therefore more difficult to find evidence for. However, considering the support we have found in our material, we argue that vote-maximisation probably was of great importance for the Moderates
