{UAH} Swedish general election leaves opposing parties deadlocked

Swedish general election leaves opposing parties deadlocked

The Grind

Sweden's general election this weekend resulted in a tie between left and right factions, with the governing Social Democrats scoring the lowest in a century with only 28.4% of the vote and the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) winning an unprecedented 17.6%.

The results reflect growing discontent with the changes brought on by the arrival of 163,000 Muslim immigrants (more per capita than any other nation in Europe).

Sweden, which has long prided itself on its generous welfare system, now struggles with shortages of doctors and teachers, long waits for operations, and an increase in violent crime.

These problems have coincided with an increase in support for the SD, a party long shunned for its extremist views and ties to the neo-Nazis.

The Implication

Like the UK, Sweden has become accustomed to coalition governments and did not expect any party to win a majority this time. Sweden's new government will require cross-bloc alliances between the center-right and center-left or support from the SD to pass legislation.

Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who leads a center-left coalition government made up of his Social Democrats and the Green Party (with ad hoc support from the Left), says the two mainstream parties have a "moral responsibility" to form a government.

On the other side is Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, who leads a center-right alliance comprised of his Moderates, the Center, the Liberals, and the Christian Democrats.

Both sides, which each hold about 40% of the votes in Parliament, have refused to team up with the SD.

"The Sweden Democrats can never, and will never, offer anything that will help society," says Lofven. "They will only increase division and hate."

PM Lofven faces a confidence vote in two weeks. If he is forced out, Parliament will be dissolved and fresh negotiations will begin.

Analysts predict Kristersson will attempt to form a minority center-right government, possibly in coordination with the Christian Democrats and with implied support from the SD. Such an arrangement would give the populist party an opportunity to influence policy (particularly immigration policy) in exchange for votes.

SD leader Jimmie Akesson has already promised to wield "real influence" in Parliament. "We will have an immense influence over what happens in Sweden in the coming weeks, months, years," he said.

 

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