STOCKHOLM. The far-right-backed government received for the first time Sweden, following yesterday’s agreement between conservatives, Christian Democrats and liberals to form a government coalition with parliamentary support from the far-right Swedish Democrats. Conservative leader Ulf Kristerson is expected to be elected prime minister the day after Monday.

Ten years ago, such a development would have been unthinkable. In the meantime, Jimmy Okeson’s party has shed its most extreme members and adopted less aggressive rhetoric, emphasizing the problem of crime. The 9/11 elections came after months of gangs settling scores with 47 murders since the start of the year.

The program of the new government includes commitments to a radical reform of the penal code. “We are going to reform the penal code to increase penalties for violent and sexual crimes,” Kristerson said. It will also increase sentences for gang members and establish a witness protection program. On immigration, the new government plans to make it harder for new immigrants to access benefits and allow foreign convicts to serve their sentences abroad.

Although not part of the government, Okeson’s party won the highest percentage (20.5%) of any party on the right. The outgoing prime minister’s Social Democratic Party won the election, with 30.3%, but the centre-left coalition won 173 seats instead of the far-right coalition’s 176.

Okeson expressed dissatisfaction that his party was not given a ministry, but praised the political directions of the new prime minister.

Okeson yesterday expressed his dissatisfaction that his party was not given a ministry, but praised the new prime minister’s political directions. The party will have the opportunity to start appointing government officials.

“Climate Persuasion”

It was the Liberal Party that disagreed with Okeson’s formal participation in government. Its leader, Johan Persson, stressed that his party will ensure freedom of the media, an independent judiciary and unhindered access to abortion. There was no mention of the climate crisis in the policy statements of the future prime minister. “This is a death sentence for the climate and Sweden’s place in the world,” commented Green MP Per Boland.