Sweden general election: Major gains expected for far-right party as country goes to polls

Huge leap in support could give Sweden Democrats influence in forming next government

Polls have opened in Sweden for a general election which is expected to be one of the most unpredictable – and divisive – in the country’s history.

The far-right Sweden Democrats are predicted to make massive gains in what will be the first national vote since the government’s 2015 decision to allow 163,000 migrants into the country.

Forecasts suggest the party, led by Jimmie Akesson, is on course to take second place.

Because it is highly unlikely any single party will win a majority, such a position will give it a hugely influential position – and may allow it to help form the next government.

“This election is a referendum about our welfare,” said prime minister Stefan Lofven. “It’s also about decency, about a decent democracy ... and not letting the Sweden Democrats, an extremist party, a racist party, get any influence in the government.”

About 7.5 million registered voters will choose from almost 6,300 candidates for a four-year term in the 349-seat parliament, the Riksdag.

The last opinion poll, conducted for public broadcaster SVT, suggested the Sweden Democrats would achieve 19.1 percent of votes – a near-seven per cent leap on last time out in 2014.

While that would fall below the predicted 24.9 per cent of Mr Lofven’s ruling Social Democrats, it would still cause a massive tremor in a country where left-wing and left-of-centre parties have dominated since the Second World War.

The centre-right Moderates party is set to take to take third place with 17.7 percent.

With the rise of the right, immigration has become the hot topic of the election.

In a country of just 10 million people, there was much discomfort with the decision to accept 163,00 migrants from Africa and Asia three years ago. The result appears to have been that longstanding taboos on what Swedes could openly say about migrants and integration without being shunned as racists have been broken down.

At a final rally on Saturday, Mr Akesson criticised Mr Lofven for “prioritising” the cause of asylum-seekers.

“This government we have had now, they have prioritised, during these four years, asylum-seekers,” he said. “Sweden needs breathing space, we need tight responsible immigration policies.”

Before that, during a heated TV debate of party leaders on Friday evening, the 39-year-old caused a stir by blaming migrants for the difficulties they often have in finding employment and not adjusting to Sweden.

The broadcaster that aired the televised debate, SVT, later called his remarks degrading and against the democratic mandate of state TV.

Mr Akesson responded in turn by saying the channel should not be taking sides, and announcing he would not take part in its election programming on Sunday.

A voter in central Stockholm on Sunday appeared to echo his concerns. Sabina Macri told the Associated Press news agency that the current political situation has left her questioning the country’s future.

“We used to be very safe. We used to be a very calm nation,” she said. “And today I feel a bit insecure about the future, especially for my children.”

But Mohamed Nuur, a 26-year-old Social Democratic candidate of Somali descent, said a vote for the far-right party was a vote for hate.

“For me, the Sweden that he [Jimmie Akesson] wants to see ... that is not our future,” he said. “That is to go back in history.

“For me, when he is saying that immigrants are not welcome to Sweden ... he is trying to spread hate between the people. Actually, it’s the immigrants who built up this country.”