Sweden: Right-wing Populist Yet EU friendly: The Electoral Success of the Sweden Democrats Overshadows the Increasing Approval of the EU in Sweden

Abstract:

The outcome of Sweden's general election held on 19 September 2010 was widely seen as yet another example of a right-wing populist party on the rise in Europe. However, Sweden's case also shows that growing right-wing populism does not necessarily go hand in hand with growing opposition to the EU.

Although the Sweden Democrats advocate both anti-immigrant and anti-EU ideas, the latter hardly contributed to their success at the polls. On the contrary, Swedish society - often referred to as traditionally eurosceptical - has 'mentally' joined the European Union.