Sweden Votes Sunday: Right-Wing Bloc Narrows Gap, Far-Right SD Could Enter Cabinet for First Time

Who will win? Jimmie Åkesson, SD party leader (left), or Magdalena Andersson, chair of the Social Democrats (right). Photo: Anders Wiklund/tt/imago

From Härnösand By Anne Diekhoff

On Sunday, Sweden votes and can choose between left or right. The healthcare system, economy, and unemployment dominated the election campaign.

Right or left? On Sunday, Sweden elects a new parliament. The question of which side wins is particularly sensitive, since "right" in Sweden no longer stands only for classic conservatism but also includes the Sweden Democrats. The right-wing populists could now, following their advance into the political center of power already achieved in 2022, hold ministerial positions for the first time.

Until now, they remained on the sidelines, but as the official support providers for the government, they already had strong influence on its policies. The name Tidö Government refers to the location where this cooperation was negotiated. It is led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's Moderates, in coalition with the Liberals and Christian Democrats.

After four years, the opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats, seemed certain to return to power. But in the final stretch of the election campaign, the lead of the center-left bloc shrank further from double-digit percentages at times. According to the latest poll commissioned by Swedish public broadcaster SR, the right-wing spectrum trails by only 3.2 percent. Accordingly, the Tidö parties together reach 47.6 percent, while the red-green side comprising the Social Democrats, Centre Party, Greens, and Left Party reaches 50.8 percent combined.

"Law and Order"

There is no consensus on how to handle a victory on this side – the Social Democrats actually do not want to govern with the Left Party anymore. Speculation continues about possibilities in the middle. With nearly 29 percent, the Social Democrats remain the largest party in Sweden. The Sweden Democrats have long been the second-strongest force with around 20 percent, attracting many former Social Democratic voters.

The Tidö Government entered office in 2022 with the goal of tackling gang crime – "law and order" is the slogan. At the same time, the problem was repeatedly linked directly to the migrant population. The second major goal was to "clean up" migration policy as well.

The number of murders committed by organized crime decreased during the term. Criminologists indeed see improved police work as the decisive factor, rather than legislative measures such as significantly harsher sentences. That criminal foreigners should be deported is not a controversial topic in the country. Nor is there much dispute over the fact that Sweden should not return to its previously very generous asylum policy, with broad consensus prevailing.

But the Tidö migration policy had far-reaching consequences. In combination, several legal changes resulted in many people who were long integrated and employed suddenly losing their residence permits. Critics warn that the Sweden Democrats essentially aim to get rid of as many "non-ethnic" Swedes as possible. And that they would become increasingly radical the more power they gained.

"Sweden Would Be a Completely Different Country"

In the event of an electoral victory for the right-wing bloc, SD party leader Jimmie Åkesson demands at least twelve ministerial posts. For part of society, preventing this is the main issue. In the days leading up to the election, many cultural figures spoke out on social media, reminding people that the Sweden Democrats repeatedly disparaged journalists, wanted to shrink public broadcasting, and dismissed scientific findings as mere opinions.

Opposition leader Magdalena Andersson says that Sweden would be a completely different country if the Sweden Democrats – "a far-right party founded by neo-Nazis" – were to gain more power.