Swedish Election Risks Empowering Far-Right Sweden Democrats for First Time
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Sweden's Sunday election could see the dangerous normalization of the far-right Sweden Democrats, as the incumbent centre-right coalition includes them, facing off against a centre-left opposition led by former prime minister Magdalena Andersson. Polls show a tightening race, raising concerns about the rise of xenophobia and reactionary politics.
On Sunday, Swedish voters face a critical choice: whether to allow the incumbent centre-right bloc, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, to retain power and potentially hand key ministries to the far-right Sweden Democrats, or to restore the centre-left opposition under former prime minister Magdalena Andersson. The Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in extremism and a history of anti-immigrant rhetoric, stand on the verge of unprecedented influence. While opinion polls initially showed a comfortable lead for the progressive left-wing alliance, the margin has alarmingly narrowed as the election approaches, reflecting the troubling mainstreaming of reactionary forces.
At a rally in Stockholm, Andersson warned that the contest would be close, urging voters to consider whether they wanted a government "dominated by the Sweden Democrats" or one led by her party, which stands for inclusion and social justice. Kristersson, speaking in parliament, attempted to justify his coalition's alliance with the far-right, claiming it can "unify parties, voters and issues into joint action"—a euphemism for legitimizing extremist voices.
The Sweden Democrats, who only entered parliament in 2010, have openly declared their intention to seize the migration portfolio if the right-wing alliance wins. Their leader, Jimmie Akesson, boasted at a campaign event that the Sweden Democrats have already won, painting a vision of Sweden as "safer, better, and more Swedish"—thinly veiled code for exclusion and nationalism.
With turnout in Sweden typically exceeding 80% of the 8 million eligible voters, the stakes are high. Polling stations close at 20:00 local time, with first results expected later that night. Alarmingly, approximately half of the votes have already been cast by mail or early voting, making the outcome even more unpredictable.