SD's election flop – may lead to "internal divisions"

SD's strategy backfired and the election result is a "notable setback" for the party, according to a political scientist. It will lead to some internal strife and a post-election debate they haven't had before, says Andreas Johansson Heinö.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 10 2024

SD's election flop – may lead to "internal divisions"
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

SD's strategy backfired and the election result is a "notable setback" for the party, according to a political scientist.

For the first time, the Sweden Democrats are losing ground in an election. The drop of around 2 percentage points has been described as a cold shower, despite the party retaining its three seats in the European Parliament.

The Sweden Democrats have built up an image of being unbeatable and went into the election with great confidence. This makes the fall even greater, he says.

One explanation for the drop could be that the party had a rhetoric that was harsher than in many years, he believes.

He points to Jimmie Åkesson's confrontation with TV4 and the talk of population exchange as two examples.

The strategy likely has internal critics within the party, says Johansson Heinö.

Now there may be internal divisions within the party – something it has never had to face after an election.

At the same time, the strategy is closely linked to the SD leader.

Will there be questions about his leadership now?

Johansson Heinö guesses that the SD leadership will first try to downplay the loss.

Will the party need to change?

The Sweden Democrats are decreasing in the European Championship election from 15.3 per cent to a preliminary 13.2.

The decline may have several explanations.

The revelation about the Sweden Democrats' anonymous social media accounts, as well as how the party leadership strongly counter-attacked, has been highlighted as one.

The Sweden Democrats also heavily focused on migration, which was not as important an issue for voters in this election as before.

One speculation is that some voters may have gone to the Christian Democrats.

Traditionally, the Sweden Democrats have also had difficulty mobilising their own voters in European Championship elections.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime
1 MIN READ

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless
2 MIN READ

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election
2 MIN READ

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict
3 MIN READ

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate
2 MIN READ

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje
3 MIN READ

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje

Suspect at Large After Alby Subway Shooting Incident
1 MIN READ

Suspect at Large After Alby Subway Shooting Incident

Experts Warn Against Unnecessary Menopause Tests and Treatments
3 MIN READ

Experts Warn Against Unnecessary Menopause Tests and Treatments

Mohamsson Criticizes Busch's Call to Move Swedish Embassy to Jerusalem
1 MIN READ

Mohamsson Criticizes Busch's Call to Move Swedish Embassy to Jerusalem

Woman Falls from Balcony in Helsingborg; Man Arrested for Attempted Murder
1 MIN READ

Woman Falls from Balcony in Helsingborg; Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

Explosion Reported at Järfälla Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Reported at Järfälla Apartment Building

Explosion Reported at Row House in Södertälje, Police Investigate
1 MIN READ

Explosion Reported at Row House in Södertälje, Police Investigate

Woman Found Dead in Helsingborg Apartment Man Arrested
1 MIN READ

Woman Found Dead in Helsingborg Apartment Man Arrested

Russian Signal Disruptions Threaten Air Safety in Europe
1 MIN READ

Russian Signal Disruptions Threaten Air Safety in Europe

Gothenburg Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 165,000 Residents
1 MIN READ

Gothenburg Data Breach Exposes Personal Info of 165,000 Residents

Uppsala Doctor's Sentence Increased for Rapes and Sexual Assaults
1 MIN READ

Uppsala Doctor's Sentence Increased for Rapes and Sexual Assaults

Man Seriously Injured in Alby Subway Shooting Near Stockholm
1 MIN READ

Man Seriously Injured in Alby Subway Shooting Near Stockholm

Heavy Rain Hits Jönköping Prompting Rescue Service Alerts
1 MIN READ

Heavy Rain Hits Jönköping Prompting Rescue Service Alerts

Small Plane Crash in Lake Limmaren Kills Two Experienced Pilots
2 MIN READ

Small Plane Crash in Lake Limmaren Kills Two Experienced Pilots

SOS Alarm Alerts Public to Fake SMS About Important Messages
1 MIN READ

SOS Alarm Alerts Public to Fake SMS About Important Messages