Ahead of the upcoming election, there are a couple of “bubblers” that could have an impact, according to Tommy Möller. One is Tomas Ramberg’s book on nuclear power, “Att dagtinga med sin övertygelse”, which will be released at the end of August. The other is SD leader Richard Jomshof’s book on Islam, which is expected to be published after the summer, well before the election.
Nuclear power is a big and important issue in the election. And it would be strange if Jomshof's book didn't get attention, Tommy Möller tells TT.
Short-lived scandals
Simon Sorgenfrei's "Open Your Hearts", which is about how Islam became Sweden's second-largest religion - but also about how the Sweden Democrats became the country's second-largest party - is another tip. As is Daniel Andersson's book "Liars - from inside the Sweden Democrats' troll factory", about the exposure of the Sweden Democrats' troll accounts on social media.
For younger readers, there is Per Bengtsson and Caroline Lindfors' "Watching the 2026 Election", an educational overview of the eight parliamentary parties, their history and their positions on the most burning issues ahead of the election.
Do political books matter for the election campaign?
"It's unusual. Not least today, given the development of the media, when attention spans are so short," says Tommy Möller, a professor of political science at Stockholm University.
And when the range of events and various developments is so large, something extraordinary is needed. Even a fairly major scandal lasts for a couple of days at most these days, according to Möller.
It is also becoming more common that instead of seeking out and reading the books themselves, people rely on what is written about the books. They read what is written by key opinion leaders and cultural writers. That is, they take part in the books indirectly, through columnists or reviewers that they trust.
Was important for the election
Looking back, there is a clear example of a book that actually fundamentally influenced an election campaign. It is Kjell-Olof Feldt's autobiography "Alla dessa dagar" (All These Days), which he wrote after his time as Minister of Finance in the Social Democratic government.
It became very uncomfortable for Ingvar Carlsson because Kjell-Olof Feldt wrote that “we were wrong.” In almost every speech, Carl Bildt quoted aloud from the book and it became important for the 1991 election, says Tommy Möller.
"Open your hearts" by Simon Sorgenfrei (Norstedts). About societal change in general and today's religious diversity. Analysis of how the Moderates and Swedish migration policy have transformed from the Alliance years to today's Tidö cooperation.
"My father was a communist" by Tove Folkesson (Norstedts). A literary account released in April that explores the red heritage on a personal level.
"Not your prime minister" by Nicolas Lunabba (Ordfront publishing house). Deals with the current government (M, KD, L) and their collaboration with the Sweden Democrats.
"Helhjärtat" by Magdalena Andersson (Book Publisher Atlas). An autobiography for those who want to know more about the Social Democrats' path.
“Liars – from inside the Sweden Democrats’ troll factory” by Daniel Andersson (Albert Bonniers publishing house). A young intern infiltrates the SD’s communications department for TV4’s “Kalla fakta” to expose the party’s troll accounts on social media.
“It was never about immigrants” by Stefan Sjöberg and Karla Backlund (Katalys and Arkiv publishing house). In-depth interviews with people who voted for the Social Democrats but are now active in the SD.
"Banana Republic Sweden" by Johannes Klenell (Natur & Kultur). Examines the phenomenon of "revolving doors" between politics and business. Highlights how former top politicians from both the Social Democrats (Göran Persson, Stefan Löfven) and the Moderates (Carl Bildt) are moving towards lobbying.
"Watching the 2026 election" by Per Bengtsson and Caroline Lindfors (Sanoma education). Pedagogical review of all eight parliamentary parties and their positions, for younger readers in grades 4–6.
"Att dagtinga med sin övertigelse" by Tomas Ramberg (Albert Bonniers förlag). Book about nuclear power, one of the most controversial issues in Swedish politics. Coming at the end of August.
The Sweden Democrats' Richard Jomshof is working on a book about Islam that is planned to be published by party leader Jimmie Åkesson's own publishing house. The book has the working title "Kafir".
