Sweden faces a pivotal general election as the country grapples with significant shifts in its political landscape driven by the far-right Sweden Democrats’ influence on the governing coalition. The party has leveraged its position to steer policy on migration and crime, with rhetoric linking the two and targeting migrants, Muslims, and other minorities. This rhetorical approach has contributed to what observers describe as a rightward drift in mainstream political discourse, with some major opposition parties adopting positions previously associated with the far right.
The consequences have been felt acutely by immigrant and Muslim communities. Incidents including a shooting in the city of Örebro and repeated vandalism of mosques have marked the period. Additionally, 2023 saw protests involving damage to copies of the Qur’an. Individuals interviewed expressed concerns that the political environment has become increasingly hostile, with some describing themselves as living on a political battleground. A healthcare worker of Lebanese origin questioned why immigrant contributions to Swedish society went unacknowledged by the far right, while others reported considering contingency plans for leaving the country despite years of residence and established employment.
Community responses have included grassroots efforts to counter narratives about Islam. An imam-led campaign called Ask-a-Muslim, launched in 2017, has conducted outreach at more than 150 locations to facilitate dialogue and address misconceptions. However, activists note that the political landscape may have been fundamentally altered regardless of electoral outcomes. Policy changes have been substantial, including reductions in refugee quotas from 5,000 to 900 annually and new provisions allowing residency permit revocations based on criteria such as “bad behaviour.” Those working with refugee integration organizations report reduced funding and diminished influence compared to earlier periods, reflecting broader shifts in public and political priorities.
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