Key facts
- The Sweden Democrats (SD) have seen their electoral growth halted, falling to third place in Sweden's general election.
- The SD, founded in 1988, had previously experienced continuous growth in government elections.
The Sweden Democrats (SD), a far-right party, have experienced a significant setback in Sweden's general election, falling to third place and losing their anticipated route into government. Despite this, much of their agenda has been adopted by mainstream parties, indicating their continued influence on Swedish politics.
The electoral setback for the Sweden Democrats (SD) signals a potential pause in the far-right's ascent in Sweden, but the normalization of their policy agenda across the political spectrum means their influence on immigration, crime, and integration debates is likely to persist.
The Sweden Democrats (SD), a far-right party founded in 1988, has seen its continuous electoral growth halted in the recent general election, falling from second to third place. This outcome suggests their anticipated march into the heart of Sweden's government has been stopped, at least for now. The party had gained significant influence and mainstream acceptance by supporting Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's Tidö coalition government, which had been formed after the 2022 election. Early in the campaign for this year's election, Kristersson had indicated that the SD would take key ministerial positions if his coalition won.
However, the election results indicate that the right-leaning parties may not be able to form a coalition, thus blocking the SD's route into government. Niclas Nilsson, a lecturer and researcher at the anti-racism campaign group Expo, described the result as a "historic setback" for the party, noting that it had grown in every government election since its founding. SD leader Jimmie Åkesson expressed visible shock at the outcome, acknowledging a loss of percentage points and suggesting that his party's decision to support coalition partner the Liberals might have contributed to the decline in support.
While the exact reasons for the vote loss are still being analyzed, some supporters may have shifted to the Moderates, who had a strong performance. Another factor could be that after four years of close government involvement, the SD can no longer position themselves as an anti-establishment party. The voter turnout was around 80%, which is considered comparatively low for Sweden. Furthermore, many of the SD's core policy positions, such as anti-immigration stances and tough approaches to crime and punishment, have become normalized in Swedish politics. Even the center-left Social Democrats, led by Magdalena Andersson, have shifted their strategies to the right on crime, immigration, and integration, which contributed to their increased support.
The SD's future role will depend on coalition formations. If the Moderates join a coalition with the Social Democrats, the SD would become the largest party in opposition. However, if the Social Democrats form a government without the Moderates, the SD would be left outside, potentially influencing national conversation and societal norms away from the right. The party's response to this moment is seen as crucial for its survival and the future tenor of Swedish politics. Nilsson warned that if the SD moves further right to re-energize its base without the moderating influence of center-right parties, it could lead to new lows in Swedish politics, especially as far-right support and mobilization continue to grow outside of parliamentary politics.