Sweden’s far-right Sweden Democrats party is poised for major gains in the country’s September elections, a new poll shows, as voters seek to send a message that they want stricter controls on immigration and a tougher approach to crime.
Politico Europe reports that the Sweden Democrats party scored just four points behind the ruling Social Democrats Party, and just two points behind the Swedish moderate party.
The Social Democrats have ruled Sweden for years, turning the country into a leftist paradise — Sweden is, of course, routinely referenced as a model for the United States, largely for its progressive policies — but the Swedes say they’ve tired of the government’s lax approach to immigration and crime, and want a ruling party that will tackle those issues head on.
The Social Democrats, Politico reports, have “struggled to respond” to the Sweden Democrats’ rhetoric on the issue, particularly in light of a recent spate of violence in Sweden’s immigrant ghettos. Their lack of strength on the issue has actually caused Swedes to turn from the Sweden Democrat party; the group is facing a near 30% drop in support from the last election cycle.
The news echoes trends across Europe. Burdened by the ever-increasing migrant population, Europeans are tending toward anti-immigration and tough-on-crime parties.