Sweden Democrats

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Sverigedemokraterna
Leader	Jimmie Åkesson
Founded	February 6, 1988
Political ideology	Radical Right-Wing Populism/Nationalism
International affiliation	None
European affiliation	None
Colour(s)	Blue, yellow
Website	www.sverigedemokraterna.se
See also the politics of Sweden series

Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna, SD), founded in 1988 by Leif Zeilon, is a Swedish far right political party. The party describes itself as a nationalist movement and claims to oppose all forms of totalitarianism and racism. Reputable observers characterize the Sweden Democrats as far-right and anti-immigrant, including CNN,^[1] the BBC,^[2] the Expo Foundation,^[3] the Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society,^[4] and the Stephen Roth Institute.^[5]

Although the party has never received widespread support, it has for each consecutive election received an increased number of votes. It is the most popular far-right party in Sweden, having received 2.9% of the vote in the 2006 general elections. According to an April 2006 survey, 67% of the electorate actively dislikes the Sweden Democrats.^[6]

As of early 2006 the party claims about 1,800 members. There are thirteen district party associations around Sweden, as well as around one hundred local or municipal associations. Young members are organised in the youth league, Sweden Democrat Youth. The current version of the youth league was founded in 1998. The party also distributes a newspaper to its members, SD-Kuriren. Since 2005 the paper has been printed in tabloid format, and approximately 28,000 copies have been published.

The Sweden Democrats have complained about difficulties buying advertising space due to the media using the right to choose whom they permit to advertise.^[7] However, on June 16, 2006, Dagens Nyheter and Svenska Dagbladet decided to stop their boycott. Expressen still retains the ban on Sweden Democrat advertising.^[8] The Sweden Democrats often claim to be the victims of a conspiracy with the intent of deceiving the Swedish people and making sure they cannot be heard.^[9][10]

Contents 1 Political history 1.1 The 2002 election campaign 1.2 The 2006 election campaign 1.3 The Mohammed cartoon debate 2 Ideology 2.1 Basic political ideas 2.2 Foreign policy 2.3 National and social justice 2.4 Economic policy 2.5 Family policy 2.6 Immigration policy 3 Controversy surrounding the Sweden Democrats 3.1 The Sweden Democrats' response to the controversy 4 Election results 5 Party leaders 5.1 Other prominent party members 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Political history

The party has its origins in the 1980s racist movement Bevara Sverige Svenskt ("Keep Sweden Swedish").^[11][4] During the mid 1990s, the party leader Mikael Jansson strove to make the party more respectable, modelling it after other "euronationalist" parties, most prominently the French National Front. This policy continues to be followed by the present leader Jimmie Åkesson. This effort included ousting openly extremist members, who then founded the opposing National Democrats party.

The Sweden Democrats were active in LePen's Euronat, but first the main party left, then the youth organisation, then they denied ever being members, then they denied that Euronat ever existed.^{[12][13][14][15]}

[edit] The 2002 election campaign

The Sweden Democrats regarded their results in the 2002 Swedish general elections a success. The party focused its campaign on its pledges to restrict immigration and build a culturally homogenous Sweden. Party officials stressed during the campaign that the Sweden Democrats is a democratic party that opposes all forms of xenophobia and racism. However, despite this official image, party members were accused of exactly such views by journalists and representatives of other political parties. Also, party officials were attacked by individual thugs, and the party's meetings were disturbed by demonstrations by left-wing groups such as Anti-Fascist Action and the Young Left.^[16]

[edit] The 2006 election campaign

The Sweden Democrats again failed to gain representation in Sweden's national parliament, the Riksdag, in the 2006 general elections. However, they significantly increased their support by receiving 2.9% support at the national level and gaining representation in a majority of the nation's municipalities. In the municipality of Landskrona, 22% voted for the Sweden Democrats.

[edit] The Mohammed cartoon debate

After the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten published twelve cartoons depicting Mohammed and ignited the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy during the fall and winter of 2005, the party gave its unreserved support to the publication with reference to the freedom of speech. The party stated that it saw no reason why a Danish newspaper should be forced to abide by Muslim rules and prohibitions regarding expression. When the boycott of Danish products was launched in the Middle East, the Sweden Democrats launched a "Buy Danish" campaign in support of Danish workers.^[17] In 2006 the party entered the Mohammed cartoon debate by publishing a Mohammed-depicting cartoon on its youth league and SD-Kuriren websites. The cartoon showed Mohammed from behind holding a mirror in front of his face. However, instead of any facial features, the mirror showed only a blank head. The cartoon was captioned "Mohammed's Face" (Muhammeds ansikte in Swedish).^[18]

The publication attracted the attention of the Swedish government. The government informed internet service provider Levonline about the party's publications. Subsequently, Levonline shut down the party’s web page. The government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Laila Freivalds, denied any direct interference. However, at the same time Laila Freivalds condemned the publication as a provocation.^{[19][20][21][22]} Freivalds then resigned as Minister after being accused of interference with press freedom, and lying about such actions.

This event spurred debate on government censorship in Sweden. The party also had a hate speech charge filed against them due to the posted caricature.^[23] Similar hate speech charges were filed against other Swedish publishers who depicted Mohammed.^[18] However, these charges were immediately deemed to be unfounded by the Swedish Justitiekansler (Attorney-General).^[24]

The party originally planned to publish a set of cartoons in the party newspaper, SD-Kuriren. However, after the controversy erupted, party leader Jimmie Åkesson issued a statement on the party's website on 9 February 2006, stating that it would refrain from further publications online and in print, due to concerns that it might spur hostile actions against Swedes and Swedish interests.^{[25][26][27][28]}

The shutdown of the party's websites was reported to Konstitutionsutskottet by the Liberal People's Party leader Lars Leijonborg.^[29] The party filed charges against the Security Police and the Department of State at the Swedish Justitiekansler and Justitieombudsman, alleging that the government's interference was unconstitutional.^[30] The spokesperson of the Swedish Green Party Peter Eriksson also expressed concern over possible government involvement in the event.

[edit] Ideology

The Sweden Democrats' party programme is based on "ethno-nationalism":^[25][4]

[edit] Basic political ideas

The pillar of Sweden Democrats’ ideological message is manifest from the party's statement of principles, which it published in 2003:

"The critical ingredient of a safe, harmonic, solid and supportive society is the common identity, which in turn requires a high degree of ethnic and cultural uniformity amongst the people. From this, it follows that the nationalist principle, the principle of one state, one nation, is absolutely fundamental to the Sweden Democrats’ political values. The nationalist principle is based on the concept of the nation state, that the territorial boundaries of the state shall coincide with its demographic boundaries. In its ideal form, such a society is therefore ethnically homogenous. Cultural diversity is as necessary to mankind as biological diversity is to nature. The different cultures are mankind’s common heritage and they should be acknowledged and kept apart for the benefit of us all... Countries containing a multiple of relatively strong cultures have tended to develop in such a way that they end up diluting the different ethnicities and totally eradicating their original identities. We the Sweden Democrats believe that the safest way to protect the diversity of cultures, taking into consideration respect for human rights, is to do so as much as possible in the paradigm of the nation state." (Sverigedemokraterna 2003)

[edit] Foreign policy

The Sweden Democrats believe that immigration, supranationality (e.g., the European Union), cultural imperialism (mainly from the USA), and globalisation are the greatest threats to the unique Swedish culture. The party wishes to pursue a looser co-operation between Sweden and other Nordic states.

[edit] National and social justice

The party advocates national responsibility, social justice, and an ecological consciousness. Further, the party wishes to promote a general moral improvement in Swedish society, protect fundamental Western and Christian ethics, and strengthen national unity in order to create solidarity between Swedes.

[edit] Economic policy

The Sweden Democrats wish to lower taxes and reduce government intervention in the economy to promote the growth of small business enterprises. In order to reduce unemployment, the party sees a need to improve the general business climate, especially for smaller enterprises. A key point in the party's economic policy is the claim that the so called "multicultural experiment" costs the Swedish government approximately 267 billion Swedish kronor (2000) every year (actual cost in 2003: 6.8 billion^[31]). Thus, by reducing the costs of immigration, the party believes that it will both be able to reduce taxes as well as enhance the general level of welfare.

[edit] Family policy

They are in favor of the traditional nuclear family and believe that every child should have "one father and one mother", according to their website. They are therefore against allowing homosexual couples to adopt children (which is already possible according to Swedish law).

[edit] Immigration policy

The party explicitly states that the current immigration and assimilation policies have been a failure. The party feels that the current situation with a large number of immigrants living in cultural enclaves is not beneficial for the country. The immigrants themselves are rootless, there has been rising antagonistic tensions between various population groups, and the immigration in itself, the party says, has caused social and economic strains on the country. Against this background, the party wishes to restrict immigration and encourages the repatriation of large immigrant groups. The party has referred to the recommendations from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which state that the return of refugees should be the normal final solution to refugee problems. Party secretary Torbjörn Kastell has said that the party wants "a multicultural world, not a multicultural society."^[4]

According to the party manifesto:

"The tendency in modern times has been towards incredibly widespread immigration from distant countries. An explicit goal to create a pluralistic society has seriously jeopardized the Swedish nation and its homogenous composition. There can be no doubt that such a policy constitutes a grave violation of the nationalist principle... The mass immigration of the past decades has come to pose a serious threat to our national identity by creating huge areas populated by people who will never see themselves as Swedish nor as part of our culture or our history. Thanks to an irresponsible immigration policy designed to create a 'multicultural society', new ethnic minorities have established themselves on Swedish soil, with growing social problems being the result." (Sverigedemokraterna 2003), (Sverigedemokraterna 2002)

[edit] Controversy surrounding the Sweden Democrats

• During the Swedish general elections in 1991, the party held a meeting in Stockholm where, among others, Franz Schönhuber, the then leader of the German party Die Republikaner, and Anthony Hancock, a British producer of anti-Semitic propaganda, gave speeches. Further, it was stated that in September 1991 a number of party members attended a meeting in London where the English historian David Irving gave a speech. Combat 18 was in charge of the security during the meeting.^[32] (Bakgrund: Bakom den demokratiska fasaden, Expo nr 3 - 1997)

• During the Swedish general elections in 1991 and 1994 the party had candidates in Hedemora, Malmö, Mölndal, Sigtuna, and Stockholm who had previously been active in Nazi organisations.^[11]

• The first version of the youth league was initially founded in 1993, but was later disbanded by the main party after it became clear that a number of the youth league's members had Nazi political views. The members of the youth league who held those views left the party and formed a new organisation called SUNS.

• Between 1993 and 1995, Robert Vesterlund was active in the party (both in the main party and, for a short time, the leader of the parties youth organization before it was disbanded). After the debacle with the youth organization, he left the party.^[11]

• In 1997–1998 a female party member left the party. She was the representative for the Sweden Democrats in Höör, but was at the same time somewhat involved in the National Socialist Front. However, she has now left political life, and made a statement in an interview in Aftonbladet.^[11]

• In 1998 the party banned the wearing of uniforms during meetings and started to distance themselves from Nazism.^[11]

• During the Swedish general election in 1998 it was discovered that two of the party's candidates for municipal election in Malmö had previously been members of two outspoken Nazi organisations; one was a member of the Nysvenska rörelsen and the other was a member of the National Socialist Front. Also, one of the party leaders in Helsingborg played in a white power band that had performed at the August 1998 National Socialist Front rally.^[11]

• During the Swedish general election in 1998, the French National Front supported the Sweden Democrats financially. The then party leader Mikael Jansson has stated that the support consisted of printing 250 000 of the party's election brochures.^[33][34]

• In 2002, second vice-chairman Torbjörn Kastell stated in a Dagens Nyheter interview that, as a way to counter the multicultural policies pursued by the main parties, he advocated a policy that would ban mosques, prohibit the wearing of traditional Muslim clothing in public spaces, and end the serving of special food in public schools. However, he stressed that he found it unfair that these kinds of ideas were viewed as xenophobic and racist. He felt that the policies were merely ways to assimilate immigrants into Swedish society.^[16]

• In a speech during the 2002 election campaign the leading member Kenneth Sandberg said "Even more often it happens that dark skinned youths mug and knock down helpless elderly on their way home with their meagre pensions. Our young boys - blonde, blue eyed - are humiliated and mugged of their cell phones. A new phenomena in Sweden's history is the gang rapes of our girls.". ^[16]

• A Sweden Democrat holding a seat in Kristinehamn left the party in 2003 after writing several anti-Semitic and Holocaust-denying letters to various authorities.^[35]

• According to the representatives of Miljöpartiet and Folkpartiet, two SD members holding seats in Trollhättan made several anti-Islamic remarks during a debate.^[36]

• On 22 March 2003, the SD candidate in Helsingborg was arrested by the police when he, together with several known Nazis (including the local leader of Nationalsocialistisk Front) attacked an anti-racist demonstration.^[37]

• For the 2004 election to the European Parliament, the party received 200,000 SEK from the Belgian anti-Semite Bernard Mengal.^[38][39]

• Party secretary Tommy Funebo left the party in 2004 and publicly described the party as being infested by Nazis, only differing from them for tactical reasons. Being without a party program, he stated, they are only united in their hatred towards foreigners. The party leader at the time, Mikael Jansson, reacted by calling Funebo a destructive liar.^{[citation needed]}

• In 2004, party chairman Mikael Jansson defended the so called "bergsjö letter" sent out by the SD in Gothenburg. In the letter, SD Gothenburg said they wanted to use party money to help "Swedes and brother peoples moving from areas with many immigrants." They also wanted "Bergsjön to be deivided in one multicultural part and one pure part, awaiting assimilation or repatriation of the foreign."^[40]

• At the SD's national meeting in 2004, several Gothenburg members had a background in the neo-Nazi National Democrats (Sweden). The head of the election committee also had a prominent position in the Nordic Reich Party.^{[41][42][43][44]} He was asked to resign,^[45][46] but refused^[47] and was later expelled.^[48]

[edit] The Sweden Democrats' response to the controversy

The party tries to dissociate itself from all forms of totalitarianism and racism (e.g. Nazism), and states that it considers the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights a fundamental component of its politics. Furthermore, the party says that its fundamental goal is to combine the principle of social and economic justice with traditional conservative values. For this reason, the party believes that it is not easily pinpointed on the traditional left-right political spectrum in Swedish politics.^[25] Also, the Sweden Democrats say they have expelled all extremist members from the party, who now form the neo-fascist National Democrats. The Sweden Democrats complain about a media boycott, which they say has resulted in negative characterisations of the party, despite being given more coverage than other parties of similar size. On March 18, 2006 the Sweden Democrats filed a complaint at the Press Ombudsman against Expressen for their series of articles about the party.^[49]

[edit] Election results

The party has never received widespread support, but it has recently seen its electoral support increase somewhat, receiving 2.9% of the votes in the September 2006 general elections. At a local level, the party is represented in a majority of the Swedish municipalities.

In the 1988 Swedish general elections, the party received 1,118 votes. At the municipal level, the party failed to gain seats in any municipality.

In the 1991 Swedish general elections, the party received two local mandates (that is, two representatives in the municipal assembly), one in Dals-Ed and one in Höör.

In the 1994 Swedish general elections, the party received 13,954 votes. It received a total of five local mandates, two in Höör, two in Dals-Ed, and one in Ekerö.

In the 1998 Swedish general elections, the party received 19,624 votes. It received a total of eight local mandates, two in Höör, two in Trollhättan, two in Haninge, one in Sölvesborg, and one in Dals-Ed.

In the Swedish elections for the European Parliament in 1999, the party received 8,568 votes (0.33% of the total number of votes cast).

In the 2001 elections to the Church Assembly, the party received 0.8% of the total number of votes cast and gained two mandates in the Church Assembly (Kyrkomötet).

In the 2002 Swedish general elections, the party received 76,300 votes (1.44% of the total number of votes cast), making it the largest party without representation in the the Swedish Parliament. At the municipal level, the party presented candidates in 79 Swedish municipalities. In 29 municipalities the party gained a total of 63 local seats.

In the Swedish elections for the European Parliament in 2004, the party received 27,707 votes (1.13% of the total number of votes cast).

In the 2005 elections to the Church Assembly, the party received 1.7% of the total number of votes cast.

In the 2006 Swedish general election the Sweden Democrats went forward strongly, gaining 2.9% of the votes and thus ensuring governmental financial support for the next four years. The party is thus 1.1 percentage points from achieving representation in the national parliament, the Riksdag, and it has also strengthened its positions in various local assemblies, particularly in southern Sweden. In the city of Landskrona the party received 22,3% of the electrorate votes and is thus the third largest party in the city council.

[edit] Party leaders

• Anders Klarström (1992–1995)
• Mikael Jansson (1995–2005)
• Jimmie Åkesson (2005–present)

[edit] Other prominent party members

• Sten Andersson
• Sven-Olle Olsson (deceased)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (English) Sweden Democrats
• (Swedish) Sweden Democrats
• (Swedish) SD-Kuriren
• (Swedish) Sweden Democrat Youth

Political parties in Sweden
Represented in the Riksdag (349)	Social Democrats (130) | Moderate Party (97) | Centre Party (29) | Liberal People's Party (28) | Christian Democrats (24) | Left Party (22) | Green Party (19)
Represented in the European Parliament (19 out of 732)	Social Democrats (5) | Moderate Party (4) | Christian Democrats (2)* | June List (2)* | Left Party (2) | Centre Party (1) | Feminist Initiative (1)** | Green Party (1) | Liberal People's Party (1)** *Three MEPs were elected for the June List, but one defected to Christian Democrats. **Two MEPs were elected for the Liberal People's Party, but one defected to Feminist Initiative.
Minor parties:	Sweden Democrats (2.93%) | Pirate Party (0.63%) | Senior Citizen Interest Party (0.52%) | Health Care Party (0.21%)