Between 1978–1979 and 1985–1988, Flanking attended the Karlberg Military Academy and studied human resources at the University of Gothenburg respectivaly, the latter of which he dropped out of.

As chairman, he participated in the 1991 election and was responsible for increasing the Centre Party's vote count by two-fold, both locally and nationally.

Flanking returned in 2005 and was made Chairman of the Centre Party's Nominating Committee, and in 2006, candidated to the City Council of Gothenburg.

The same year, he succeeded Jöran Hägglund as Secretary of the Centre Party and also started a five-year term as elected Member of the Swedish National Bank Council.

[4] While serving as Secretary of State, Flanking became MP-on-leave, during which time Rickard Nordin and Karin Östring Bergman took turns as acting MP for Gothenburg.