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Rightist Party in Sweden Gets No Formal Role but Big Say in Government


STOCKHOLM – Sweden’s parliament passed a new right-wing government on Monday that includes the Liberal Democrats and Christian parties but has no formal role for the anti-immigration Swedish Democrats, if not someone whose right-wing bloc won’t come close to winning last month.

Despite being the largest party in the bloc after winning 1/5 of the nationwide vote on September 11The Swedish Democrats will only have a supporting role in the new government, led by the incoming prime minister, Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party.

Normally, the party with the most votes gets into government, but because of the ideological differences and neo-Nazi origins of the Swedish Democratic Party and anti-liberal policies, other parties do not. wanted to give them an official role in the government. Jonas Hinnfors, a political scientist at the University of Gothenburg, said.

“It’s practicality,” said Mr. Hinnfors.

The Liberals put forward a pro-coalition condition on removing the Swedish Democrats from a seat in the government.

The price for Sweden’s support for the new government, laid out in a 62-page pact, is high, analysts say, and includes cooperation from within. seven policy areas, including criminal justice and immigration.

The document focuses heavily on the areas of crime and immigration, the priorities of the Swedish Democratic Party, and is “very brief and rather vague” on other key issues – including tax reform, healthcare economy and education, Mr. Hinnfors said.

He added: “Nothing about foreign policy, EU, NATO or defense spending, alluding to Russia’s war with Ukraine and the security situation in Europe and the Baltic region in particular.

The treaty calls for an investigation into the ban on begging, promoted by the Swedish Democratic Party and widely criticized by the Liberal Party.

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Swedish Democratic Party, touted the treaty as a victory that would broadly fulfill his party’s campaign promises.

“A change in government must also entail a paradigm shift when it comes to immigration and integration policy – ​​and for me, it certainly makes sense,” he told reporters. so”.

The pact covers most of the policy priorities of the Swedish Democratic Party, including doubling sentences for gang-related crimes, expanding police powers in some neighborhoods to prevent and seek firearms from people without good cause, and restrict immigration to the absolute minimum required by EU rules.

The agreement also calls for the creation of committees consisting of members of the Swedish Democratic Party and three other parties to devise new government policies.

“If there is a difference of opinion, they can veto a measure,” said Sverker Gustavsson, a political scientist at Uppsala University, part of the Swedish Democratic Party.

The deal gives the Swedish Democrats exactly what they want – the strongest possible influence without accountability, Mr. Gustavsson said.

“This gives them a lot of informal power,” he said. “It’s an ideal solution for them.”

The Liberals seem to have made the most concessions – on criminal justice and individual liberties. Observers said some of these concessions crossed an earlier red line for the party.

“We are on the verge of something very different in key aspects of Swedish society: the way we relate to each other, the forces of the state regarding individual liberties and employment. what it’s like to be a foreigner in this country,” said Mr. Hinnfors.

The Swedish Democrats may be more comfortable outside of government, he added. “They are in the last blackmail position. The government needs them, and they can withdraw support at any time.”

This is not the first time an anti-immigration far-right has taken a supporting role in a Scandinavian government without a cabinet seat. The Danish People’s Party supported liberal conservative parties in power for 10 years until 2011.

“They have a lot of influence and really dominate Danish politics in terms of immigration policies,” Mr. Hinnfors said.

Parliament voted 176 to 173 in favor of Kristersson taking over as prime minister. He will succeed Magdalena Andersson, who has been prime minister since November last year.

Ms Andersson said the Social Democrats remained open to working “with all the good forces that want Sweden to become more like Sweden” amid criticism of the Liberal Party. . The same is true of the Liberal Party. “

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