Sweden's Far Right Takes Over Stockholm Central Station
· audio
How Sweden’s Far-Right Took Over Stockholm Central Station
As I watched a recent report from Stockholm Central Station, where banners plastered by the Sweden Democrats (SD) read “If you commit crimes, live off benefits, don’t learn Swedish or misbehave, you’re not welcome,” I couldn’t help but think about the gradual erosion of democratic norms in Europe. The SD’s campaign, with its shrill anti-immigrant rhetoric and thinly veiled neo-Nazi undertones, has sparked outrage among many, but it’s also a symptom of a larger problem – the normalisation of hate speech and far-right ideologies in Sweden.
Sweden was once seen as a beacon of tolerance and inclusivity. The country welcomed refugees from Bosnia during the Yugoslav Wars, and its capital city, Stockholm, became a haven for artists, activists, and intellectuals from around the world. However, the SD’s recent campaign suggests that this spirit of openness is under threat. By plastering Central Station with posters that evoke a deep historical trauma in many immigrants, the SD has created an atmosphere of fear and exclusion.
The focus on repatriation in the SD’s advertisements is striking. Posters on buses read “Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant will help you get home,” implying that immigrants are nothing more than a problem to be solved. This language ignores the complexities of migration and integration, causing harm to those it targets.
The tactics used by the SD are designed to provoke, as pointed out by Zina al-Dewany, a political commentator and editorial writer for Aftonbladet. By pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in public discourse, the SD creates a sense of outrage that can be exploited for electoral gain. This is an example of “peak populism,” where a party’s focus on immigration issues starts to cost it voters rather than win them.
The normalisation of hate speech and far-right ideologies in Sweden did not happen by accident. It is the result of years of policy decisions and ideological shifts within the country’s political establishment. The 2018 general election, which led to a right-wing coalition government, marked a turning point in this process. Since then, meetings between SD and other right-wing parties have become more frequent, and the party has gained increasing influence over policy-making.
The role of Simona Mohamsson, leader of the Liberals and minister for education and integration, is particularly worrying. Her announcement that her party would allow SD to participate in a future government sent shockwaves across Sweden, marking a significant shift in the country’s politics. By embracing the SD, Mohamsson has emboldened the far-right and created an atmosphere where hate speech is increasingly tolerated.
As I spoke with people who work at Central Station, including Ester, a barista, and Aya, her colleague, it became clear that the impact of this campaign goes beyond politics. The “bad vibes” created by the SD’s posters have a tangible effect on people’s lives, making them feel unwelcome in their own city.
Some members of the public have responded to the normalisation of hate speech with acts of resistance. They sparked heated debates with SD representatives and even donated to charities providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza. These actions demonstrate that there are still many people in Sweden who value inclusivity and tolerance.
However, more needs to be done to challenge the far-right’s influence and promote a culture of respect and empathy. This will require politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens to work together and push back against hate speech whenever it arises. It is a difficult task, but one that is essential for preserving Sweden’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and inclusivity in Europe.
As the Swedish general election approaches, voters must be aware of the implications of their choices. By embracing the SD and its far-right ideology, they risk emboldening hate speech and creating an atmosphere of fear and exclusion. The future of Sweden depends on it – will we choose to normalise hate speech or uphold our values of inclusivity and tolerance?
Reader Views
- TSThe Studio Desk · editorial
The Sweden Democrats' tactics are a masterclass in manipulating public opinion. By plastering Stockholm Central Station with inflammatory posters and exploiting historical trauma, they're creating a climate of fear that's both divisive and exploitative. But what's often overlooked is the role of Swedish institutions in enabling this rhetoric. While the SD's actions are certainly abhorrent, it's also worth questioning why public spaces continue to be used as platforms for hate speech without consequence. Until we address the systemic issues driving this normalization of far-right ideologies, Sweden's democratic values will remain under siege.
- CBCam B. · audio engineer
Sweden's descent into xenophobic politics is disturbing, but let's not forget the role of liberal complicity in enabling this far-right ascension. By allowing SD to co-opt and manipulate public discourse, Sweden's centre-left establishment has inadvertently legitimized extremist ideologies. A more effective counter-narrative would require the left to reclaim its own inclusive values, rather than simply critiquing the far right's rhetoric. This means challenging the economic policies that create migration drivers, rather than scapegoating migrants themselves. Anything less will only embolden the likes of SD further.
- RSRiya S. · podcast host
The Sweden Democrats' tactics are a masterclass in subverting democratic norms for electoral gain. But what's equally disturbing is how their rhetoric echoes the very same anti-immigrant sentiments that fueled fascist movements in Europe decades ago. To dismiss this as mere "peak populism" does a disservice to the harm caused by these ideologies. We must acknowledge the ways in which xenophobic and nationalist narratives can be leveraged for electoral success, even in a country like Sweden where democratic values are held in high esteem.