Stockholm
Swedes head to the polls on Sunday in a closely contested election that could determine whether the far-right Sweden Democrats enter government and complete their transformation from political outcasts into accepted partners of the centre-right.
The Sweden Democrats, which have roots in the neo-Nazi fringe, are polling at around 19%. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s ruling centre-right minority coalition has pledged to bring the party into its governing bloc if that secures him a second term.
“We have agreed to campaign on a platform of building a common, majority government and that I will lead that government,” Kristersson told during the campaign.
The election will test whether voters want to continue Sweden’s sharp political shift on immigration, integration and national identity. Once regarded as one of Europe’s most liberal societies, Sweden has introduced tougher policies on citizenship, welfare, residency and border controls.
Since taking power, Kristersson’s government has abolished permanent residency for refugees, tightened welfare rules and increased expulsions of migrants without legal grounds to remain. Asylum applications have fallen to their lowest level in four decades.
Kristersson credits cooperation with Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson since 2022 for helping deliver economic growth, lower food and energy prices and progress against gang crime and shootings.
He has promised deeper cooperation and cabinet positions for the Sweden Democrats after the election. But the party wants still tougher measures.
Mattias Karlsson, a senior Sweden Democrat lawmaker, said Swedish culture, language, laws, norms, morals and traditions must be accepted by everyone living in the country.
The result could therefore reshape Sweden’s political mainstream and determine how far its tougher migration agenda goes.
