Sweden: Neo-Nazi rooted party expected to enter government

The Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots, is expected to enter the government for the first time after the Swedish elections. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is running a campaign that allows the party to join the coalition, after previously being supported from the outside. Polls indicate a tight race against the left-wing parties.

The Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots, is expected to enter the government for the first time in its history after the Swedish elections, which will take place this coming Sunday. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is running a campaign for the first time that allows the party to formally join the coalition, after previously supporting it from the outside in parliament. Public opinion polls indicate a tight race, with a slight advantage for the left-wing parties. The achievement breaks a taboo in Europe, against the backdrop of the rise of the far right, as reflected in the success of the Alternative for Germany party. The party, led by Jimmie Åkesson, is already shaping policy behind the scenes, including steps against gang crime and reducing the number of asylum seekers to a 40-year low. The party was born out of the neo-Nazi and anti-Semitic movement, a past for which it has officially apologized. The main obstacle is the Social Democratic party, which leads in the polls and fears the cancellation of strict immigration policies.