Share
A right-wing bloc that includes a nationalist anti-immigration party won a narrow majority in Sweden’s parliament Wednesday. It was a major political shift in the Scandinavian country that had a decades-long history of welcoming refugees, but is grappling with a crime wave linked with immigration.
Center-left Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson conceded defeat with 99.9% of the vote from the weekend elections counted Wednesday. She said she would step down Thursday.
Populist Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson declared victory for the four-party bloc. He said his party would be “a constructive and driving force” in the work of rebuilding safety in Sweden. He said it was “time to put Sweden first.”
With almost all votes counted, the bloc that includes the Sweden Democrats — the country’s second-largest party — won a thin majority in parliament. Though a few votes were outstanding they were not enough to sway the final outcome.
Prime Minister Andersson said that “the preliminary result is clear enough to draw a conclusion” that her center-left forces had lost power.
Andersson became Sweden’s first female prime minister last year and led the country in its historic bid to join NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While Andersson is personally popular, anxiety in Sweden has grown over high crime rates in segregated districts that are home to large numbers of immigrants who have failed to integrate into Swedish society. Some blamed her Social Democrats, who have been in power for eight years.
Ulf Kristersson, the leader of Sweden’s third largest party, the Moderates, who’s considered to be the leading figure in the right-wing bloc and a possible PM, thanked voters for their trust. “Now we will get Sweden in order,” he wrote on Facebook.
“The Moderates and the other parties on my side have received the mandate for the change that we asked for. I am now starting the work of forming a new, effective government,” Kristersson said.
The Sweden Democrats were long shunned by Swedes because the party’s founders included some neo-Nazis. In recent years it has moved into the mainstream by expelling extremists, and gained support with a tough stance on crime and immigration amid a rise in shootings and other gang violence.
Its transformation was led by 43-year-old Akesson, who in his speech Wednesday evening said it was time for a new chapter in Sweden.
“Now it will be enough with the failed Social Democratic policy that for eight years has continued to lead the country in the wrong direction,” Akesson said. “It is time to start rebuilding security, welfare and cohesion. It is time to put Sweden first. The Sweden Democrats will be a constructive and driving force in this work.”
“Now the work begins to make Sweden good again,” he said.
The tally gave the right-wing bloc 176 seats in the 349-parliament, the Riksdag, and Andersson’s center-left bloc with 173 seats. A majority in Sweden requires 175 seats.
“The four right-wing parties appear to have received just under 50% of the votes in the election, and in the Riksdag, they have gained one or two mandates. A thin majority, but it is a majority,” Andersson said.
“Tomorrow I will therefore request my dismissal as Prime Minister and the responsibility for the continued process will now pass to the Parliament Speaker and the Riksdag.”
RELATED TOPICS:
Campbell’s Co. Says Sales Rise as More Americans Cook at Home
3 hours ago
US Judge Blocks Trump From Nixing Union Bargaining for TSA Officers
3 hours ago
Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified
46 minutes ago
Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise
1 hour ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa
1 hour ago
Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo
1 hour ago
Madera County Authorities Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing At-Risk Man
3 hours ago
Campbell’s Co. Says Sales Rise as More Americans Cook at Home
3 hours ago
US Judge Blocks Trump From Nixing Union Bargaining for TSA Officers
3 hours ago
Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified
46 minutes ago
Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise
1 hour ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa
1 hour ago
Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo
1 hour ago
Madera County Authorities Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing At-Risk Man
3 hours ago
Campbell’s Co. Says Sales Rise as More Americans Cook at Home
3 hours ago
US Judge Blocks Trump From Nixing Union Bargaining for TSA Officers
3 hours ago
Not Quite ‘Hunger Games,’ but Fresno Budget Hearings Start
6 minutes ago
Categories

Not Quite ‘Hunger Games,’ but Fresno Budget Hearings Start

Clovis CPA Sentenced to Prison for $800K Bank Fraud Scheme

His Gang Name Is ‘Goer.’ Now Fresno County Man Is Going to Prison for 20 Years

Missing Woman Found Dead in Fresno County Canal Identified

Co-Conspirator Sentenced in Fraud Involving Loans to Bitwise

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Stephanie Marie Zamarripa

Why Trump Is Mad at ‘Sleazebag’ Leonard Leo
