Turn your back on the Sweden Democrats' un-Swedishness

The Sweden Democrats (SD) party deviates from principles that most Swedes hold dear, including democracy, environmental stewardship, support for Ukraine, and gender equality. This "un-Swedish" stance should be carefully considered by voters before the upcoming election, according to an opinion piece in Dagens Nyheter.

The article points to several areas where SD's policies diverge from mainstream Swedish values. In terms of democracy, the party has reportedly praised Viktor Orbán's Hungary and expressed sympathy for Donald Trump, leaders who have been accused of undermining democratic institutions. Furthermore, the piece cites the party's alleged "troll factory" and its methods of circumventing parliamentary rules as symptoms of a weakening democracy. SD has also been criticized for disregarding the opinions of regulatory bodies and experts in favor of ideological directives when collaborating with the government on legislation.

Regarding environmental policy, the author notes the scientific consensus on reducing fossil fuel emissions, contrasting it with the government's decision, supported by SD, to cut gasoline and diesel taxes by 67 billion Swedish kronor without implementing climate-protective measures. SD leader Jimmie Åkesson's dismissive remarks about the risks of a warmer climate are also highlighted.

The article further scrutinizes SD's stance on international relations, particularly its perceived pro-Russian leanings. Despite Russia's war against Ukraine, some Sweden Democrats have made pro-Russian statements. Åkesson's past indecisiveness between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, and his comments on limiting Swedish support for Ukraine, are mentioned. Additionally, a former SD member of the defense committee shared a film on Facebook seemingly thanking Russia for the invasion, and another party figure visited Crimea to praise a "fake referendum." An analysis of European Parliament votes between 2014 and 2019 reportedly showed SD members voting most pro-Russian among Swedish representatives.

Finally, the piece touches upon gender equality, stating that SD's policies aim to relegate women to a more traditional role. The author concludes by urging voters to weigh these points when making their electoral choices.