Why the far right is losing ground in Sweden

Unlike other parts of Europe, where far-right parties have been gaining ground in recent years, Sweden's recent weekend election saw them lose support for the first time in over 15 years. With over 90% of votes counted, the left and right-wing blocs were neck and neck, with the left holding a slim three-seat lead. The Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi origins, experienced an unexpected drop in support, reducing their share from 20.5% to 17.6%.

Party leader Jimmie Akesson admitted they had lost a few percentage points compared to their 2022 election results. This contrasted with the rise of nationalist, hard-right parties in Britain, Germany, and Italy. Political observers from Lund University suggest that Sweden's mainstream parties have embraced tough stances on asylum seekers, which previously attracted far-right voters.

However, these parties have not succeeded in expanding their appeal in other policy areas. The Sweden Democrats struggled to remain relevant in the wake of stricter immigration policies adopted by successive governments. Long considered political pariahs, the party gained significant influence in the 2022 election, leading to a coalition government with the right-wing Moderates.

In the current election, voters seem to have favored ending Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's administration, which made immigration a central focus of his term. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats, who built the welfare state in Sweden, resonated with voters due to their history. The final results will reveal if Kristersson can remain in office or if the left-wing bloc will form a government despite their slim majority.