Key facts
- Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson wants his party to join the governing coalition.
- The Sweden Democrats are now the second-largest party in Sweden.
- Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has removed previous barriers to cooperation with the Sweden Democrats.
- The party advocates for stricter immigration policies and assimilation of foreign-born residents.
- A June poll indicated the governing bloc's support at 42.6%, potentially hurting coalition partners.
Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, has guided the party from its fringe origins to become Sweden's second-largest political force, now positioning it for a potential role in government. After four years of supporting a minority center-right government from outside the coalition, Akesson stated the party has won the political arguments and deserves cabinet positions. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who previously had 'red lines' against cooperation, has now lifted them, acknowledging the need for the Sweden Democrats' support to form a stable majority government after the September election.
Sweden has experienced a significant rightward shift in policy and public opinion, particularly concerning immigration. The country's immigration system has become more stringent, with reduced welfare payouts, employment restrictions, and faster expulsions for lawbreakers. The Sweden Democrats championed these changes, and Akesson now demands full coalition membership, expecting to control key ministries like justice, defense, foreign affairs, or finance. He indicated he would allow Kristersson to remain prime minister.
The Sweden Democrats acknowledge their party's origins in neo-Nazism and white supremacy but assert that such elements have been removed. Akesson, who joined the party in the 1990s and became leader in 2005, has been instrumental in pushing for mainstream acceptance. The party's current platform includes calls for banning traditional Islamic dress, addressing radical mosques, and increasing incentives for voluntary departures. However, the agreement to allow the Sweden Democrats into government appears to have alienated some voters and coalition partners, with the Liberal party seeing its support drop below the threshold needed to retain parliamentary seats.