Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for six months. The controversial Islamophobic Sweden Democrats are part of the government in Stockholm. What will happen to Europe with them?
On January 1, Sweden assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the third time – but with a special signal given the composition of the new government in Stockholm: For the first time, the right-wing populist Swedish Democrats, once founded on the country’s neo-Nazi scene , are represented therein. Not only are you the majority bearer for Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s “Moderaterna,” but you can also assert your influence. In the last election, Kristersson’s party won 19.1 percent fewer votes than the Swedish Democrats (SD) with 20.53 percent. The middle parties, who also govern with Kristersson, have only about five percent each. Consequently, the Islamophobic SD, which has connections to the FPÖ, is likely to influence not only domestic politics but also the shape of the EU Council Presidency over the next six months.