Sweden's election could bring far right a place at the heart of government

 

Sweden's election could bring far right a place at the heart of government

The upcoming Swedish general election on Sunday, September 13, 2026, could formally bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into the cabinet for the first time in history. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has pledged to build a majority coalition that grants the party formal ministerial positions if the right-wing bloc wins.

Current Projections and Polling Data

• Sweden Democrats Support: The latest polls assign the party approximately 19% of the vote as of September 10, 2026, according to tracking reported by Reuters.
• The Coalition Plan: Prime Minister Kristersson announced in late August 2026 his intention to campaign on a joint platform to form a majority government comprising the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats, the Liberals, and the Sweden Democrats.

Shift from Confidence Partner to Cabinet Member

The Sweden Democrats have spent the last four years serving as the primary parliamentary backers of Kristersson’s minority coalition. While they heavily influenced policy from the outside after the 2022 election, this vote marks a major shift as party leader Jimmie Åkesson demands actual cabinet portfolios.

Key Campaign Issues

• Immigration: The party pushes for further tightening of border controls, cutting asylum numbers, and encouraging voluntary repatriation.
• Crime: Proponents credit the right-wing partnership for expanded police powers, tougher sentences, and a 75% drop in shooting deaths.
• National Referendum: Political commentators like Jan Guillou view the election as a direct referendum on the normalization and integration of the far right into Sweden's executive power structure