• Sweden edition

Introducing the Sweden Democrats

Published: 13 Sep 10 11:45 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/28956/20100913/

The Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna - SD) polled 2.6 percent of the votes in the 2006 parliamentary elections. Jimmie Åkesson is the party leader.

History and ideology
The Sweden Democrats were founded in 1988 and in contrast to other far-right parties across the EU, has roots in the neo-Nazi movement, specifically the Keep Sweden Swedish (Bevara Sverige Svenskt) group.

The party under Mikael Jansson, and now Jimmie Åkesson, has worked hard to tone down its more extremist elements in recent years in an attempt to attract a broader base of support outside of its core of young working class males.

The party's ideology is based on nationalism and social conservativism.

Immigration underpins all of the Sweden Democrats' policy positions, with immigrants and Sweden's culturally mixed society argued to be the source of all of the country's perceived ills.

2010 election platform
The party campaigns against immigration and multicuralism and argues for the construction of a culturally homogenous Sweden.

Key points
*Curtail immigration and return to assimilation policies of the 1970s
*Tough on crime, including significantly higher penalties for serious crimes and repeat offenders
*More money to pensioners

Comment
The Sweden Democrats are inspired by the electoral success of Pia Kjærsgaard and the Danish People's Party.

While, like Kjærsgaard, SD rejects accusations of racism, the party's election campaign has been notable for a series of mishaps which have damaged the party's attempts to present a shift away from the political extremes.

Despite, or perhaps because of, these electoral campaign controversies, polls indicate that the party is on course for seats in parliament but, regardless of the result, is unlikely to gain any influence on government policy.

To return to the election guide main page, click here.

External link: The Local's 2010 Election special section »

Peter Vinthagen Simpson
news@thelocal.se
+46 8 656 6518

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

03:49 September 21, 2010 by mieoux
The population of Sweden is too small for Sverigedemokratena ideas to actually work. Sweden is the size of an American city in population, not the size of an average country in the world. Perhaps you should try to form a single country with the other Scandinavian countries, but 9 million people is a very low population and you are to be commended that you can pay your retirees - oh wait regarding paying retirees, I just got a thought that maybe it means that Swedish debt is risky, so I looked up Swedish debt to GDP ratio - it's very high, there are some third world countries with the same numbers , but what makes Sweden worse is how small the Swedish population is. I'll look for a comparative global graph of per capita debt to GDP ratio - now that would be interesting. Something's telling me you need more immigrants, because that money to pay that huge overall debt to GDP ratio is coming from what - taxes right and only 9 million of you paying it right? Hahahaha? Dear G-d and you elect Sverigedemokratena!?!?! Idiots!

Anyway you should pray that you get more immigrants because Sweden has no natural resources, and has a very small population that is shy to the world and shy to entrepreneurship. Keeping Sweden Swedish will drive you down into poverty - smaller population wishing for an even smaller population, even more jamt-laws meaning more shy to entrepreneurship, embarrassed at excelling above others, shy about making money and being rich, leading to fewer profit making businesses, leading to fewer jobs and lower tax revenues, combined with a frightening debt to GDP ration all leading to no money for future retirees - all in a scenario of zero immigrants. Immigrants are not your problem, in fact you are lucky if people even want to immigrate to and pay taxes in Sweden.

Sverigedemokratena are promising a perpetual motion machine that runs on no fuel. Use your heads for a minute. If you are unsatisfied with your situation, think about what could change it and then bring those thoughts forward. Don't shoot yourselves between the eyes with Sverigedemokratena because that's pretty much what their policies mean - closing their eyes against the world and sticking their fingers in their ears against the world. Trust that you can find solutions and challenge yourselves to do so, rather than easily resorting to shooting yourselves between the eyes.
20:35 September 21, 2010 by japaswede
Very well said! My thoughts exactly...Sweden will severly limit whatever competitive edge it now has in the world. The country needs immigrants to help its economy grow. This naivete and plain stupidity about Sweden returning to its roots will only jeopardize its current international standing and economic vitality.
08:34 November 4, 2010 by ericrufinosiah
I do agree that immigrations should be curtailed and all

immigrants should assimilate into Swedish societies when they

are given Swedish citizenships.Sweden's population maybe small

and needs immigrants-- Yes she needs immigrants -- but what

type of immigrants.?Immigrants that do not want to assimilate

into Swedish societies ,immigrants that have got no-respects

for the Swedish societies at large and wanted to impose their

cultures and views on the native Swedish.?Jimme Akesson and

Sweden Democrat emerged due to the facts that some types of

immigrants are more of a threat to Sweden in the longrun.I,salute their farsightedness and it'll be too late

when immigrants outnumbers indegenious Swedish and what was

published and promoted by Jimme Akesson and SD are truthful

views where some politicians of the past and present tried

their best to ignore and covered up on the pretext of one

word " racism "Truth always hurts and be brave to face the

truth and at the sametime challenge it,if you think it is false.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines

Swedish police hunt man for imam shooting

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man in connection with the shooting of an Uzbek imam in northern Sweden in February. READ »

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Sweden is set to host US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in early June and discussions will concern green energy, internet freedom, Afghanistan and the Middle East READ (1 COMMENT) »

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that he is happy at AC Milan and will honour his contract, while bemoaning the club's lack of financial muscle. READ »

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

A doll billed as a "real retard" found its way into stores in Gothenburg in western Sweden on Thursday, prompting strong reactions about a campaign meant to draw attention to the treatment of people with disabilities. READ (12 COMMENTS) »

Woman jailed for fatal love-triangle stabbing

A jealous Swedish woman who murdered her ex-boyfriend’s new partner in September has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. READ (13 COMMENTS) »

THE LOCAL LIST
Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

After having lived in Sweden for a certain number of years, many ex-pats start asking, “Am I going native or what?” Check out The Local's guide to tell-tale signs that you may be more integrated into Swedish society than you first realized. READ (16 COMMENTS) »

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
UK wildlife park animals catch ‘Euphoria’ fever

UK wildlife park animals catch ‘Euphoria’ fever

The Paradise Wildlife Park in the UK has pledged their allegiance to Sweden in the Eurovision song contest by making their own film version of Loreen’s “Euphoria” – complete with dancing animals. READ »

Swedish school reported over 'holy' yoga lessons

Swedish school reported over 'holy' yoga lessons

The "om" chant featured in yoga lessons at a Stockholm school has prompted a complaint calling for them to be banned because of the term's ties to the Hindu religion. READ (25 COMMENTS) »

More Analysis & Opinion

Highlights from Follow Sweden

Meet Sanna, 9 years old

Sanna is one of 2 million people in Sweden under the age of 18. Sweden is seen as a good place to grow up. The law makes sure children are well-protected and defends their rights and any organizations work with children's well-being. Read more »

Strindberg, king of drama

August Strindberg's plays shocked society, dazzled audiences and revolutionized drama. A century after his death, Strindberg, with his powerful, timeless themes, is celebrated around the world. Read more »

 

Blog Update: The Local's Blog

23 May 16:27

Prime Minister Reinfeldt chats with The Local »

"If you missed it yesterday, here’s The Local’s editor David Landes snagging Prime Minister Reinfeldt for a chat before Princess Estelle’s baptism. Always nice to know the PM has time for TL!" READ »

Highlights
Thegreenj/Wikipedia (File)
OPINION »
Swedish journalist and columnist Ola Tedin to reflect on how a sometimes uncritical media appears to serve the interests of the Swedish state
Photo: Shayne Kaye/Flickr (file)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Nine of ten tourists 'happy' with Sweden
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
German ambassador Harald Kindermann
OPINION »
Harald Kindermann, the German ambassador to Sweden, talks to The Local about the importance of the German language, nuclear power, and the legacy of the Stasi.
Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's coverage of the baptism of Princess Estelle
Björn Tesch/Arbetsförmedlingen (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Sweden drifting from 'Swedish model': report
The Local Street Style - Lund
GALLERY »
The Local's Street Style from Lund, southern Sweden.
Olle Lindeborg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
The problem of profiting ex-politicos isn't simply money, money, money, argues contributor and historian David Linden
LIFESTYLE »
The Local catches up with Sweden’s comedian of the year Al Pitcher and preview our first ever “Local Lockdown” video segment.
Photo: Aprilbell.stock.xcbng.com
OPINION »
Sweden strips foreign doctoral candidates of the same rights as other tax-paying migrant workers, argue a group of doctoral candidates from the Royal Institute for Technology (KTH).
Marco Vasini/Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden looking for redemption at Euros
Chadawg24/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
'Are Swedes really more polite in English?'
Photo: Nikater
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Saxony with InterRail: a gateway to central Europe
Photo: AGS
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move
Photo: Poker Listings
SPONSORED ARTICLE
No Swedes Signed Up for Most Expensive Poker Tournament Ever
Photo: Jan Videgren
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Bergman blazed a trail for Swedish film
Photo: Contiki
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Ten great reasons to travel this summer
Photo: Stock image
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish university traditions make foreigners feel at home
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

lång

adjective

Lång means long, tall and can be used for height, distance or time.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Volunteer Venture
Volunteer Venture is dedicated to promoting community tourism by welcoming volunteers and travelers to discover the cultural differences in Nepal as English teaching volunteers, orphanage volunteers, Monk teachers and many more
www.volunteerventure.org/
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the Swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION ON SWEDISH HIGH COAST
Comfortable Fully Serviced Apartments for Leisure or Business Travel Beautiful surroundings. Internet & Sat TV
www.oldriverhouse.se