• Sweden edition
Politics

Record figures for Sweden Democrats

Published: 16 Dec 12 09:29 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/45092/20121216/

A new poll puts the far-right Sweden Democrat party at a record 10 percent, with an increase in support among older voters and voters in north-central Sweden.

The Sifo poll, published in the Svenska Dagbladet and Göteborgs-Posten dailies on Sunday, showed that the Sweden Democrats have gained 1.5 percentage points since November.

By comparison, in August the party polled 6.2 per cent.

"The Sweden Democrats now have their strongest support among those aged 65 and over", Sifo spokeswoman Toivo Sjörén told Svenska Dagbladet.

The new results come after a series of scandals sparked by the publication of video clips which showed Sweden Democrat MPs involved in a fight in central Stockholm. The politicians threatened a drunken man, used racist and sexist insults and armed themselves with iron bars.

Henrik Ekengren, a professor in political science, mentioned some factors which he believes currently benefit the Sweden Democrats: the Euro crisis, unemployment, the growing number of job termination notices and the fact that the Moderates and the Social Democrats are regarded as too similar.

Since August, support for the Social Democrats - the biggest party in Sweden - has dropped by two percent. For the other parties figures have remained more or less constant.

Neither the red-green opposition bloc nor the Alliance government would receive a majority vote if Swedes went to the polls today.

The Left-Green opposition drew 47.7 percent to the Alliance government's 41.7 percent.

The latest figures show that the Sweden Democrats' balance of power status has been strengthened.

Support for the party is the strongest in the southern regions of Skåne and Blekinge (18 percent) and the weakest in Stockholm (around four percent).

TT/The Local/nr Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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.

11:43 December 16, 2012 by jostein
"The new results come after a series of scandals sparked by the publication of video clips which showed Sweden Democrat MPs involved in a fight in central Stockholm. The politicians threatened a drunken man, used racist and sexist insults and armed themselves with iron bars."

Thats a novel take on it, i must say. I follow these things closely and the SD polled record pollings BEFORE the publication of that video. An interesting timeline:

1. SD is polling record figures in a few polling institutes.

2. Reinfeldt visits Expressen ostensibly to discuss the crisis of the printed press.

3. One week later, Expressen begins publishing a heavily edited video clip piecemeal. They have been sitting on this clip for over two years, presumably to publish just before the election 2014.

4. Voters are not deterred much and SDs trend continues.
19:32 December 16, 2012 by godnatt
Get used to it... They aren't going anywhere but up.
03:29 December 17, 2012 by ericrufinosiah
Sweden Democrat with capable and honest leaders will be the party for all

Swedish for now and in future.
08:14 December 17, 2012 by procrustes
"Sweden debates school safety after US massacre."

SD mentality is the same as the mentality behind US mass murder. Sweden, if you really want to understand the phenomenon, study your own home-grown hate. The SD is a magnet for your potential Anders Breiviks.

This is a political party of hate, fear, delusion of racial superiority whose only possible product is tragedy. Watch these people and educate your public about who and what they are.
08:54 December 17, 2012 by Cornelius Hamelberg
Procrustes@#4

This is a really atrocious comment by you and I take offense that you say

"SD mentality is the same as the mentality behind US mass murder"

How could you possibly say such a thing?

It's precisely that kind of mentality ( yours) that could have the opposite effect from what you intend - to start with, because it is a hate-filled response to a political party that is lawful and lawfully represented in parliament.. PLease try to be aware of what you are saying especially since ( as I beleive) it is not your intention to promote hatred for SD....
09:36 December 17, 2012 by procrustes
#5

I can possibly say such a thing because xenophobia is the hallmark of SD. Fear is the root of hate and SD, from all I have seen and read, is ALL about fear of foreigners. Fear is a soul-corrosive that warps good people into monsters. Nazi Germany rallied its people by capitalizing on the pain and fear created by poverty and hyperinflation.

The SD is running loose throughout Sweden throwing this satanic acid over all they can reach. I don't hate people who embrace the SD, I pity their deluded view of the world. I do hate the SD message.

How can I possibly...? It is the only responsible thing any humanist could do.
11:47 December 17, 2012 by Cornelius Hamelberg
Are you talking about today's SD ?

There is no evidence that the recent tragedy in the US was motivated by xenophobia or that Jimmie Åkesson is murder incarnate. I do not dislike Jimmie åkesson.

Centre Party's Per Ankersjö is advocating unrestricted immigration - he hasn't spelled out the details so it's uncertain whether he wants mass immigration but even Tobias Billström thinks it's unrealistic and that immigration should be regulated and so does the EU. My conclusion is that Ankersjö is fishing for votes - not from xenophobes but from immigrants and immigrants who would like to bring their families and friends over .

If you believe that the SD are a danger to Swedish democracy and as dangerous as you would like to persuade me to believe, then you could take some inspiration from Germany - since there must be some legal recourse available to you - legal action to thwart the danger that you think the SD poses:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-legislative-chamber-approves-bid-to-ban-neo-nazi-npd-a-872969.html
11:59 December 17, 2012 by Freedaysaregooddays
Procrustes, I don't know or care what you feel the SD message is, but in your sad attempt to link SD with something so vile and unrelated as Friday's shootings in the USA, you really just highlighted your ignorance of what they stand for, and for the reasons why they are growing in popularity.

If you can not figure out why there is ever increasing support for the SD then I feel you might be from a different planet. And come to think about it, if my memory serves, Procrustes is a Greek god? Most planets take their names from Greek and Roman gods. If they name one after Procrustes I imagine it to be as physically far away from earth as possible.

As far as I know the police don't know what caused the shooting in the US, they are still investigating, but doubt police will establish a connection to Swedish politics!
13:26 December 17, 2012 by Dave N
The increase in popularity is no surprise. More and more Swedes are waking up to the fact that the choice is really between voting for the SD or voting for political parties that have one thing in common - they are happy to see an Islamic future for Sweden. Voting SD is actually the common sense option for anyone who isn't a quisling or a Muslim.
17:18 December 26, 2012 by fareasttiger
I would vote for the SD in a heart beat and if needed I would accept the ultimate price side by side among them my brothers...so, long live SD and long live Sweden!

Oh, I am a foreigner by the way...
11:50 December 29, 2012 by sushipeas
Sweden please learn from examples like the UK, where in just 10 years the white british population is now the minority at just 45% according to the last census. Staggering. In the next election vote for your country and stop the mass injection of foreign cultures into your land before there won't be enough of you to vote them out.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots spread west on sixth night

Stockholm riots spread west on sixth night

A sixth straight night of unrest blighted several Stockholm suburbs on Friday night, spreading briefly to the city of Örebro, 160 kilometres to the west. READ () »

Dad slams booze delivery to 10-year-old son

Express delivery firm DHL has been criticised for having handed over a load of alcohol ordered from Germany to a 10-year-old boy in southern Sweden who was home alone at the time. READ () »

Two cars collide as elk gives birth on road

Two cars collide as elk gives birth on road

Two cars collided on a road between Trollhättan and Vänersborg in western Sweden on Friday afternoon due to an elk having chosen the unusual spot to give birth to a calf. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm's not burning

Stockholm's not burning

With international media swooping on the Stockholm riots from every angle, The Local's Oliver Gee explains why Stockholm is not burning, and how the story has been blown out of proportion. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: causes and consequences

Stockholm riots: causes and consequences

After five nights of rioting throughout the outskirts of Stockholm, many in Sweden and elsewhere are trying to make sense of it all. The Local spoke to a mix of commentators and local politicians to get their views. READ () »

Swedish firms 'clueless' about foreign graduates

Swedish firms 'clueless' about foreign graduates

As white-collar union Saco slammed Sweden for not helping well-educated foreigners into the labour market, The Local spoke to researcher Josefin Edström about the disconnect between foreign professionals and Swedish employers. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
US and UK issue travel warnings for Sweden

US and UK issue travel warnings for Sweden

The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Sweden after arsonists tore through several Stockholm suburbs, while Americans have been warned to stay out of the affected areas by their embassy. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Swedish riot police to call in reinforcements

Swedish riot police to call in reinforcements

With Swedish police set to call in reinforcements in an attempt to get the now five-day-old wave of arson and vandalism under control, Sweden's image abroad may have been tarnished. READ () »

More Politics

 

Find a new job in Sweden now
24/05 Accounts Payable to Bosch Rexroth
Academic Work Danmark
Malmö
24/05 Analog Field Application Engineer
Arrow EMEA
Kista, STHM
24/05 Business Analyst, Karlskrona
Capgemini Sverige AB
Karlskrona, BLE
24/05 CAE-Engineers within Solid Mechanics
Randstad AB
Linköping or Växjö or Västerås, VTM
24/05 Corporate Sports Sales Executives
marcus evans (Scandinavia) ltd.
Stockholm
24/05 Development Engineer ? Control Systems
Experis Engineering
SKÅ

ALL JOBS »


 

 

Highlights
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
www.finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching May 20-23
Erik Bloom
LIFESTYLE »
Stockholm's ten best-kept secrets - revealed
Fredrik Sanberg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
'The future of freedom on the internet is at stake'
Peter Håkansson/Swedish Fashion Council
SOCIETY »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
La Neta
LIFESTYLE »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

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

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

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

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Snuggling With the Enemy

24 March 17:55

Historic Stockholm Imagery »

" I have recently become addicted to a website called Stockholms Källan. The site is an amazing treasure trove of historical images of Stockholm. You can search by names or locations to find old photos and documents relating to whatever you’re interested in. This image is from a 1960’s short film called “Ditt Stockholm” (“Your Stockholm”). It..." READ »

Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS