Incumbent Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is hoping to secure a new mandate in Sunday’s parliamentary elections to keep his right‑wing political bloc in power. He has defined his goal as “returning Sweden to its greatness,” a phrase he acknowledged in an interview with AFP is a nod to Donald Trump‘s famous slogan.
According to Kristersson, Sweden has changed its image since he took office in the fall of 2022: a country once known for “shootings” is now associated with “Spotify.” The Prime Minister made these remarks during a campaign rally in Stockholm on Friday, September 11.
Cooperation with the far‑right
Kristersson reaffirmed his pledge to grant ministerial positions to the Sweden Democrats if they win the election, describing the move as “not dramatic.” He noted that he is not negotiating specific cabinet portfolios before the election results are in, but emphasized that the four partners in his political bloc have already demonstrated their ability to work together.
The Prime Minister also dismissed concerns regarding the Sweden Democrats‘ influence on key foreign‑policy issues. He stated that his political camp holds positions similar to theirs regarding Russia, support for Ukraine, and Sweden’s accession to NATO. He pointed out that it was the two left‑wing parties that opposed joining NATO, while all parties in his camp firmly support membership in the Alliance.
The Sweden Democrats, who became the country’s second‑largest political force in the 2022 elections with about 20% of the vote, are now demanding cabinet portfolios. For many months, Kristersson’s right‑wing bloc was considered an underdog in the upcoming election, but in recent weeks it has significantly narrowed the gap with the opposition.
Election debates and security risks
The opposition centre‑left bloc is led by 59‑year‑old Magdalena Andersson, who is basing her campaign on social welfare and purchasing power. During a debate between representatives of eight parties on Thursday, she stated that “the way of life for the average citizen has become too expensive.”
In response, Kristersson urged against viewing Sweden only in a negative light, stating that never before have so many Swedes been going to work in the morning, and that Swedish companies, particularly in the technology sector, are conquering global markets. The debate also covered housing, climate, education, employment and security.
The campaign is taking place against a backdrop of a deteriorating security situation and geographical proximity to Russia. The Expo foundation, which monitors the development of the far‑right movement in Sweden, released information that a Sweden Democrats parliamentary staffer had repeatedly shared pro‑Russian propaganda.
Magdalena Andersson used this information during the televised debate as an argument against giving the Sweden Democrats control over Sweden’s Ministry of Defence. She stated that after the election the country could end up with a government where the keys to the Ministry of Defence are held by a party that has again been linked to the infiltration of Vladimir Putin supporters, and she urged voters not to take such a risk.
Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson, who said he was unaware of these details at the time the investigation was published, replied that he believes this level of discourse has no place here.
Source: BFMTV
