Right-wing populists are calling for a reassessment of Sweden’s EU membership

The right-wing populist Swedish Democrats believe that Sweden’s EU membership should be put to the test. With increasingly “far-reaching symbolic politics”, the EU is on track to become a “straitjacket” for Sweden.

That is what Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the Swedish Democrats, wrote in an opinion piece that was published in the newspaper Aftonbladet on Tuesday. Åkesson’s word has gained traction since Sweden’s general election in September 2022 and the subsequent election of conservative Ulf Kristersson as the new prime minister. At that time, the Sweden Democrats became the second strongest power and have since acted as a party supporting a government for the first time ever since. Kristersson’s coalition cannot get a parliamentary majority without their votes, giving the right a lot to say in Stockholm.

Åkesson sees power shifting to Brussels

There is a shift of power from Sweden to Brussels, Swedish influence on EU politics is too small, says Åkesson. “This ensures that German, Polish or French politicians can practically decide which car you can buy, how expensive the petrol should be or which trees you can cut down on your own land.” There are good reasons to judge Sweden’s EU membership “correctly”. Other members used the EU for their own benefit, Sweden must do the same.

The leader of the Liberals in the government, Johan Pehrson, told Swedish Radio that it was totally out of the question to reconsider Sweden’s EU membership. Åkesson thinks the EU’s influence on Sweden has become too great – he thinks Sweden’s influence on the EU should be greater, Pehrson said.

The Swedish Democrats are generally seen as EU skeptical, especially when it comes to immigration issues. Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. (bal/sda/dpa)