Russia infiltration claims rock Swedish election, warns center-left leader

Key facts

• A Sweden Democrats official, Polina Malaberg, is accused of promoting pro-Kremlin narratives and having ties to Russian state-backed groups.
• The official allegedly brought Russian family members onto the grounds of the Swedish parliament.
• Center-left leader Magdalena Andersson called for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to address the security concerns ahead of the election.
• Kristersson stated the official should be fired if allegations are true, citing Russia as a threat.
• Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson acknowledged the need to investigate and potentially dismiss the official.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has urged incumbent Ulf Kristersson to urgently address allegations that a Sweden Democrats official, Polina Malaberg, has promoted pro-Kremlin narratives for a decade and cultivated ties with Russian state-backed groups. Andersson, leader of the Social Democratic Party, which polls suggest is on course to win the Sept. 13 general election, stated that Kristersson must "come clean about the security crisis," calling Russia the "greatest threat to Sweden."

The allegations, detailed in a report by the non-governmental group Expo, also claim Malaberg brought Russian family members onto the grounds of the Swedish parliament. Malaberg's partner, Gustav Gellerbrant, is a senior civil servant and Sweden Democrats member who heads the party's Coordination Office within the government. Andersson raised concerns about whether national security information may have been exposed and questioned the measures Kristersson's office has taken.

Both Kristersson and Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson have publicly responded to the claims. Kristersson stated that Malaberg should be fired if the allegations prove true, emphasizing the need to avoid individuals promoting pro-Russian narratives while working in the parliament. Åkesson conceded that the party was unaware of Malaberg's pro-Kremlin posts and that the party was investigating, adding that she could not continue her work if she maintained such views.

Andersson, however, deemed these responses insufficient, pressing for details on when the prime minister's office was informed. Beyond security concerns, Andersson also voiced apprehension about the Sweden Democrats potentially entering government, citing threats against journalists and NGOs and the party's stance on potential EU exit inquiries. She also commented on migration policy, acknowledging that Sweden's previously open border policy was unsustainable and expressing openness to supporting third-country "return hubs."