Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced Wednesday that his center-right political party would welcome a controversial group with far-right origins into a future government coalition if this year’s elections deliver a right-wing majority, marking a significant shift toward bringing the party into mainstream politics.
Kristersson has led Sweden since 2022 through a three-party center-right alliance that depends on the Sweden Democrats for parliamentary support while keeping them out of cabinet positions.
The Sweden Democrats originated in the 1980s, established by individuals with backgrounds in extremist right-wing organizations, including neo-Nazi groups. Under Jimmie Åkesson’s leadership since 2005, the party moderated its messaging and removed openly racist members from its ranks.
Åkesson transformed the organization from a fringe movement into Sweden’s second-largest political force, capturing 20.5% of votes in the 2022 election and surpassing all other right-wing parties, including Kristersson’s conservative Moderate Party. While the party has shifted toward mainstream politics, it maintains strict anti-immigration positions, reflecting similar populist right-wing movements across Europe.
With parliamentary elections scheduled for September 13, center-right parties have begun reconsidering their previous hesitation to include the Sweden Democrats in direct governance. The Liberals, a smaller government coalition member, indicated last month they would accept the party in a future cabinet.
During a joint press conference Wednesday, Kristersson referenced that “courageous decision” as transformative, with Swedish news agency TT reporting the announcement that his Moderates would permit Sweden Democrats participation in future government leadership.
Under the arrangement, Kristersson would remain the prime ministerial candidate even if the Sweden Democrats emerge as the dominant party, while the Sweden Democrats would assume major responsibilities for immigration policy.
“In the most difficult situation since World War II, Sweden cannot do without an effective government,” Kristersson stated, seemingly referencing current crises including conflicts in Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
