Sweden’s right and left blocs separated by 0.3 percentage points ahead of election
Sweden will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday, the outcome of which could for the first time bring the far-right Sweden Democrats party into the government. According to the latest Dagens Nyheter/Ipsos poll, the left and right blocs are separated by just 0.3 percentage points: the poll projects 175 seats for the camp of Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson and 174 for the bloc of incumbent Prime Minister and Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson.
As The Guardian reports, Andersson is considered the favorite to become prime minister after four years in opposition. At the same time, her bloc’s lead has narrowed noticeably in the final days of the campaign. A record number of early votes is expected, and the results of small parties could prove decisive.
The prospect of posts for the Sweden Democrats
In 2022, Kristersson reached an agreement with the Sweden Democrats that enabled his minority coalition to form a government. Thanks to this arrangement, the party gained significant influence over state policy, including on combating crime and migration.
Kristersson has now promised to give the Sweden Democrats ministerial posts if right-wing parties can once again form a government. Sveriges Radio senior political correspondent Fredrik Furtenbach believes that if the right-wing bloc wins, the party will likely receive several cabinet posts, which would be a major breakthrough for it.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The Sweden Democrats’ program provides for adding the concept of anti-Swedish sentiment to legislation on incitement against ethnic groups, revoking permanent residence permits, and further restricting immigration. One of the party’s slogans is to make Sweden Sweden again.
Migration policy and human rights
John Stauffer, legal director of the human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders, said that Sweden’s policies on crime and immigration have changed substantially over the past four years. Among the changes, he cited the deportation of teenagers, lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and imprisoning 14-year-olds in adult prisons.
According to Stauffer, the participation of the Sweden Democrats in government could strengthen the course toward reducing the number of people arriving in the country who can receive protection. He also believes that a victory for the left bloc is unlikely to mean the repeal of the current tough policies, as the Social Democrats have also shifted to the right on crime, migration, and integration.
The main issues for voters are healthcare, law and order, immigration, and the state of the Swedish economy. Voting results are expected on Sunday evening, though forming a government could require weeks or months of negotiations.
