The Far Right in Sweden

Sweden today harbours one of the most successful Populist Radical Right parties in Europe. In fact, the Sweden Democrats have never experienced an election defeat. The party has, furthermore, moved from political isolation to a position of considerable political influence, manifested in a detailed policy agreement with a right-of-centre government after the 2022 election. This chapter charts the development of Populist Radical Right parties in Sweden, from the formation of the Sweden Democrats in 1988 until the early 2020s. Background conditions with public opinion about, and levels of, immigration are also discussed. In addition, the chapter provides an overview of smaller parties, groups and online platforms with an anti-immigration agenda. It is argued that this wide array of groups and forums share a metapolitical agenda, with the aim to transform the Swedish political climate. If they are successful, the conditions will be favourable for the continued growth of the Sweden Democrats.