Jimmie Åkesson presents Peter Eriksson during a press conference at the Sweden Democrats' regional congress. Rural areas have become an important issue for the SD, which is keen to win more voters there in the 2026 election.
66-year-old Peter Eriksson resigned as chairman of the Swedish Hunters' Association in early November after almost five years in the position. He is now in the top spot to enter parliament for the Social Democrats after the election.
According to Åkesson, he will have a special focus on the inland of Norrland, where he also "has his base". Peter Eriksson himself says that he is "passionate about" rural issues.
All of Sweden is dependent on a vibrant countryside, he says, mentioning forestry, fishing and hunting issues as something he cherishes.
There has been speculation that Eriksson's recruitment is an attempt to deal with criticism after the government and the SD banned hunters from buying the controversial AR-15 rifle. The issue has stirred emotions within the party and will be debated later on Friday.
Åkesson claims that the criticism has already subsided.
Then it is clear that it generally strengthens our credibility in hunting and weapons issues to have a person who has been one of the foremost representatives of Sweden's hunters in our party for many years, he says.
Previously, long-time SD leader Mattias Karlsson has been a rural policy spokesperson.
