Since the party was founded in 1988, the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) have experienced such steady growth that a victory in Sunday’s general election seemed certain. In 2022, the party took advantage of electoral gains—and right-leaning parties’ desperation to form a minority government—and nearly entered government. A supporting role in Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s Tidö coalition gave the party, which has neo-Nazi roots, significant influence and mainstream acceptance by the political establishment. This year’s election was expected to confirm that they were no longer outcasts but serious political players. Early in the campaign, Kristersson announced that if his coalition won, the SD would take key ministerial posts. But Sunday’s results suggest the far right’s march into the heart of Sweden’s government has been stopped—for now. Having fallen from Sweden’s second-largest party to third, and with right-leaning parties unlikely to form a coalition, the SD appears to have lost its path into government. “What we saw yesterday [Sunday] was a historic setback for the Sweden Democrats,” says Niclas Nilsson, a lecturer and researcher at the anti-racism foundation Expo. “The party has grown in every general election since 1988.” The SD’s leader, Jimmie Åkesson, looked visibly shocked when he addressed supporters late on election night. He said it was clear they had lost some percentage points but claimed they were still “winners.” He seemed to suggest that his decision to be a team player and support coalition partner the Liberals may have contributed to their loss of support. View image in fullscreen Åkesson appeared visibly shocked by the Sweden Democrats’ setback at a party election-night event. Photograph: Pontus Lundahl/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images It is perhaps too soon to say why the party lost votes, said Nilsson, but some of its supporters may have gone to the Moderates, who had a good night. Another factor may be that, after four years closely involved with the government, the SD can no longer claim to be an anti-establishment party. Turnout was about 80%, relatively low for Sweden, which may also have played a role. There is also the fact that much of what the SD stands for has now become part of the Swedish political mainstream: anti-immigration, harsh approaches to crime and punishment, and an attitude to integration that puts the onus on people moving to Sweden to abandon their culture and religion to adapt to “Swedish” norms. Their influence has spread to the centre-left Social Democrats who—after losing the last election—shifted their crime, immigration and integration strategies to the right. If the Moderates end up joining a coalition government with the Social Democrats, then the SD will be the biggest party in opposition, meaning it will still have a prominent role on the national stage. But if the Social Democrats are able to form a government without the Moderates, then the SD will again be on the outside looking in, which could help steer national conversation, politics and societal norms away from the right. View image in fullscreen Magdalena Andersson, the leader of the centre-left Social Democratic party, oversaw a rise in support by shifting to the right. Photograph: Denis Balibouse/Reuters How it responds to this moment will be key—to the party’s survival and the tenor of Swedish politics. But if, with no centre-right parties to answer to, they end up going further right to reinvigorate their base, it could have consequences in the future—and bring Swedish politics to new lows, Nilsson warned. After all, there is no shortage of far-right support in Sweden. Recruitment, the spread of ideas and mobilisation by far-right groups known as active clubs continue to grow without regulation or political rules—regardless of what is going on in Sweden’s parliament.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Far Rights Rise to Power in Sweden Has Been Stopped but Its Influence Persists
Beginner Questions
What does the far rights rise to power in Sweden has been stopped mean
It means the farright party the Sweden Democrats has not been able to take control of the government or become prime minister even though it has gained a lot of votes
Which party is considered the far right in Sweden
The Sweden Democrats It has roots in neoNazi movements but now presents itself as a mainstream nationalist party
Did the far right win the Swedish election
No It has never won enough votes to lead the government on its own Other parties have kept it out of the prime ministers office
So why do people say its influence persists
Because even without holding power SD shapes what other parties say and do especially on immigration crime and integration
What is the Sweden Democrats main issue
Immigration The party wants much stricter limits on who can come to Sweden and tougher rules for those already there
Has Swedens immigration policy changed
Yes sharply Once one of Europes most open countries Sweden has tightened asylum rules border controls and family reunification partly in response to SDs rise
Intermediate Questions
How can a party influence politics without being in government
By winning enough seats to matter in parliament Other parties need SDs votes to pass budgets and laws so they bargain with it or copy its positions
What is the cordon sanitaire and does Sweden still have one
Its an agreement among mainstream parties to refuse cooperation with the far right Sweden long kept this line but it has weakened parties now talk to and rely on SD in parliament
Did SD ever support a Swedish government
Yes After the 2022 election SD backed a centerright government led by the Moderate Party It didnt get cabinet posts but agreed to support the government in parliament
Why did mainstream parties start working with SD
To gain power and pass their own policies The centerright needed SDs seats and voters cared more about immigration and crime than about keeping SD isolated
What are the main criticisms of SDs growing influence
That it normalizes nationalist and antiimmigrant views
