Kristersson Pursues Another Term As Sweden’s Right Aligns More With Far-Right Government

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is pursuing another term as the right-wing coalition contemplates the inclusion of the far-right Sweden Democrats in the government.

Kristersson’s increasing collaboration with the Sweden Democrats represents a major shift from his previous stance. In 2018, he promised Holocaust survivor Hedi Fried that his Moderate Party would not collaborate with the anti-immigration party, which at that time was mostly excluded from Sweden’s political landscape.

That stance shifted prior to the 2022 election, as Kristersson depended on the Sweden Democrats to assist the center-right coalition in regaining power. The party supported his three-party minority government, offering the parliamentary backing necessary for governance while securing considerable influence over immigration and crime policies.

As Sweden approaches the polls on Sunday, Kristersson has suggested that a win for the right-wing bloc might pave the way for the Sweden Democrats to join the government for the first time.

His government has implemented stricter immigration policies, which include actions to terminate permanent residency for asylum seekers and enhance efforts to deport individuals who no longer have the right to stay in Sweden.

It has adopted a more stringent approach to crime, especially concerning youth violence. The government ultimately discarded a proposal to detain some of the most serious 13-year-old offenders and directed its attention toward implementing stricter measures for criminals aged 14 and older. Sentences have been lengthened, and law enforcement has been granted expanded authorities.

“Several major issues were not functioning correctly in Sweden,” Kristersson stated in August during the presentation of his party’s election manifesto.

The government has pointed to a notable decrease in asylum applications and a marked reduction in fatal shootings as proof that its policies are yielding positive outcomes.

Kristersson’s political transformation has been notably remarkable as he previously held a more liberal stance on immigration. As the leader of the Moderate Party’s youth wing, he advocated for relatively open borders prior to assuming the role of party leader in 2017.

At that time, the center-right parties in Sweden were split on the issue of collaborating with the Sweden Democrats, which complicated the bloc's efforts to reclaim power.

Kristersson ultimately embraced a more practical approach, departing from the traditional reluctance of mainstream parties to collaborate with the Sweden Democrats. The action facilitated the right-wing bloc's resurgence in government in 2022.


Since that time, Kristersson has worked to uphold stability within the governing alliance, even in the face of differing views among its partners and controversies surrounding certain political appointments. One adviser, for instance, faced scrutiny after someone accused him of leaving classified documents at a hotel.

His composed leadership approach has enabled him to navigate tensions within the coalition effectively.

“He discusses his role as the adult in the room, and, for the most part, he has managed to fulfill that role,” stated Jenny Madestam, a political scientist at Södertörn University.

Critics argue that Kristersson’s partnership with the Sweden Democrats has amplified the far right's impact on national policy and shifted Sweden’s political center further to the right, especially regarding immigration.

Birgitta Ohlsson, a politician from the Center Party and former European affairs minister, has cautioned that political changes can occur rapidly, reflecting on her time living in the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Opinion polls indicate that the election may be tightly contested, with the left- and right-wing blocs nearly even.

Even if the right-wing bloc secures a victory, Kristersson may encounter a challenging political dilemma. The Sweden Democrats may have the potential to secure more votes than his Moderates, prompting inquiries about which party would hold more sway within the governing coalition.

Most political analysts anticipate that Kristersson will continue as prime minister in this scenario; however, his position may become considerably weaker if the Sweden Democrats rise as the leading party on the right.

“The Sweden Democrats would effectively hold the power,” stated Marie Demker, a political science professor at the University of Gothenburg.