Sweden's far-right party could enter government after Sunday's election, a potential shift in European politics following the AfD's rise in Germany. The vote on Sunday, September 13, marks the end of a campaign that has focused on immigration, integration, and the rising influence of the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the neo-Nazi movement that has been gradually normalized in Swedish politics.
The election comes at a time when radical-right parties are gaining ground across Europe. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged in the polls, and in Sweden, the Sweden Democrats are now the second-largest party in some surveys. The result could make Sweden the latest country where the far right either joins a governing coalition or provides parliamentary support to a center-right government.
Sweden has long been seen as a bastion of liberal democracy and generous immigration policies. But in recent years, the country has faced challenges with integration, gang violence, and a housing shortage, issues that the Sweden Democrats have exploited to broaden their appeal. The party's leader, Jimmie Akesson, has worked to soften its image, distancing it from its extremist past while maintaining a hard line on immigration.
The center-right Moderate Party, led by Ulf Kristersson, has signaled openness to cooperating with the Sweden Democrats. If the center-right bloc wins a majority, the Sweden Democrats could demand cabinet posts or at least a formal role in shaping government policy. That would be a significant break from the previous consensus in Swedish politics, where mainstream parties had refused to work with the far right.
The outcome is uncertain. The center-left bloc, led by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, is hoping to hold on to power by rallying support around issues like climate change and welfare. But the Social Democrats have seen their support erode, particularly in working-class areas where the Sweden Democrats have made inroads.
Observers are watching Sweden closely as a bellwether for Europe. If the Sweden Democrats enter government, it would reinforce a trend of far-right normalization that has already taken hold in countries like Italy, where Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy leads a coalition, and in Finland, where the Finns Party is part of the government. The question is whether Sweden, with its strong tradition of consensus politics, will follow the same path.
The election also has implications for the European Union. Sweden is a member state with a reputation for progressive values. A government that includes the far right could complicate EU decision-making on issues like migration and climate policy. It could also embolden far-right parties in other member states, particularly ahead of European Parliament elections.
For now, all eyes are on the vote count. The result will not only determine Sweden's next government but also signal whether the far right's march through Europe continues unabated. As one of the last holdouts against far-right influence in Scandinavia, Sweden's choice could reshape the political landscape of the region and beyond.