The Left Party nearly doubled its support in Rinkeby, Sweden
Sweden’s Left Party approximately doubled its support in the Stockholm district of Rinkeby in the Riksdag elections. Depending on the polling station, its result rose by 20–30 percentage points, while support for the Social Democrats increased by around five points. Turnout at different polling stations in the district rose by 4–9 percentage points, YLE News reports.
According to the media outlet’s assessment, more than 90% of Rinkeby residents are of foreign origin. The largest group among residents born outside Sweden consists of people born in Somalia. The district had previously drawn attention due to problems involving gang activity and violent crime.
Campaigning in Somali
Sanna Salo, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that the Left Party conducted an active campaign in Rinkeby every week and worked directly with residents of the district, which the police classify as vulnerable. Kimmo Grönlund, a professor of political science at Åbo Akademi, added that campaigning was conducted in Somali and that some candidates likely live in the district.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
In Grönlund’s view, the Left Party’s clear position in support of Palestine in the Middle East conflict may have been important for some voters of Muslim background. He also linked the party’s increased support to the sharp decline in the result of Nyans, a small party that promoted Muslim interests. In the previous Riksdag elections, Nyans had more than 20% support in Rinkeby, but this time it lost almost all of that result. Grönlund suggested that its supporters largely shifted to the Left Party.
Social issues
Experts link support for the left to Rinkeby residents’ demand for jobs, affordable rental housing, and an effective social protection system. Salo said that the right-wing bloc emphasizes control and punishment, while the Left Party proposes addressing the socioeconomic causes of problems through policies in employment, education, and housing. Grönlund suggested that voters may also have been attracted by support for social benefits.
The Social Democrats also improved their result in the district despite the party’s relatively tough migration policy. Salo believes that some voters may have supported them in hopes of changing the right-wing government.
