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The June 2011 edition of New Internationalist looks at the rise of the far-right across Europe and beyond. In countries such as Austria, France, Denmark, Holland and Italy, far-right parties are making a considerable electoral impact, their brand of anti-immigrant populism chiming with voters’ economic and social fears and a distinct lack of faith in mainstream politicians.
K Biswas visited Stockholm following the election of 20 MPs for the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) and in the June issue he recounts his meetings with far-right politicians and anti-racism activists. He also interviewed Olof Dreijer, one half of electro indie duo The Knife – and talked to him about fear and identity in Sweden following SD’s electoral success and the Christmas terrorist attack on the Swedish capital.
K Biswas: There was noticeable shock among international observers last year when Sweden, a country always known for its tolerance and diversity, had Sverigedemokraterna (SD – Swedish Democrats, a far-right political party) win representation to its parliament. Has this event reverberated among Swedes themselves?
Olof Dreijer: Yes, I think most people were in shock. There was a lot of discussion about SD just before and after the election, but now – not much. The day after they got into the parliament there were huge demonstrations against racism and SD itself. People were surprised and very sad over the election results. Even though it’s really scary how a racist party with roots in the Nazi movement can make it as far as parliament, I think it’s good that people start discussing the widespread racism in Sweden. Racism is not new in Sweden. When trying to make a change, it’s easier to challenge open than hidden racism.
But on the other hand, the current government also practises politics with racist tendencies, especially the ‘Folkpartiet’ part of the coalition parties. It has put forward a number of problematic propositions, for example, a compulsory Swedish language test for immigrants and to make sure that unemployed immigrants are not entitled to social welfare anymore. They also push the idea of a Swedish culture canon.
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