Sweden Democrats
65873
226010612
2008-07-16T12:48:55Z
85.225.191.199
{{Infobox_Political_party
|colorcode = #88A5CF
|name_english = Sweden Democrats
|name_native = Sverigedemokraterna
|party_logo = [[Image:Sweden Democrats-2006logo.png|275px|Sweden Democrats]]
|chairman = [[Jimmie Åkesson]]
|foundation = [[6 February]] [[1988]]
|ideology = [[Cultural nationalism]], [[National conservatism]], [[Social conservatism]]<ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/>
|international = None
|european = None
|europarl =
|colours = [[Blue]], [[yellow]]
|headquarters =
|website = [http://www.sverigedemokraterna.se/ www.sverigedemokraterna.se]
}}
'''Sweden Democrats''' (''Sverigedemokraterna'', ''SD''), founded in [[1988]] by [[Leif Zeilon]], is a [[Sweden|Swedish]] [[far right]] political party. The party describes itself as a [[nationalism|nationalist]] movement which opposes all forms of [[racism]]. The party enjoys growing support and frequent media coverage in Sweden. According to latest surveys, it would currently be elected into the [[Riksdag|Swedish parliament]] with a vote of 4.2 percent<ref>http://www.thelocal.se/12446/20080615/</ref>.
The party often draws criticism from various groups, and according to an April 2006 survey, 67% of the electorate actively dislikes the Sweden Democrats.<ref>[http://www.gp.se/gp/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=913&a=268797 Göteborgs-Posten: Väljarkåren negativt inställd till Fi och Sverigedemokraterna]</ref> The Sweden Democrats are described as [[nativism (politics)|anti-immigrant]] and [[xenophobia|xenophobic]] by [[CNN]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/eurounion/story/haider/| title=The rise of the far right in Europe| publisher=CNN.com| accessdate=2006-05-25}}</ref> the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4700414.stm| publisher=BBC.co.uk| title=Sweden shuts website over cartoon| year=February 10, 2006| accessdate=2006-05-25}}</ref> ''[[The Local]]'',<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=4962&date=20060919| publisher=The Local| title="Sweden Democrats in record election"| year=2006-09-19| accessdate=2006-12-03}}</ref> the [[Swedish Security Service|Swedish Security Police]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sakerhetspolisen.se/Publikationer/annual02.pdf| publisher=sakerhetspolisen.se| title="Swedish Security Service SÄPO Annual Report 2002" (pdf)| year=2002| accessdate=2006-12-03}}</ref> the [[Expo (magazine)|Expo Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://eumc.eu.int/eumc/material/pub/RAXEN/4/RV/CS-RV-NR-SE.pdf| format=PDF| accessdate=2006-05-25| title=National Analytical Study on Racist Violence and Crime - RAXEN Focal Point for SWEDEN| first=Stieg| last=Larsson| coauthors=Nanna Holst}}</ref> the Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society<ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il">{{cite web| url=http://hsf.bgu.ac.il/europe/index.aspx?pgid=pg_127842651505941456| publisher=The Centre for the Study of European Politics and Society| title=Radical Right-wing Populism in Sweden and Denmark| first=Jens| last=Rydgren| accessdate=2006-05-25}}</ref> and the [[Stephen Roth Institute]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2002-3/sweden.htm| title=SWEDEN| publisher=The [[Stephen Roth Institute]] for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism| accessdate=2006-05-25}}</ref>
As of early 2008 the party claims about 3,000 members. There are thirteen district party associations in Sweden for the SD, as well as around one hundred local or municipal associations. Young members are organised in the youth league, [[Sweden Democrat Youth]]. The current version of the youth league was founded in [[1998]]. The party also distributes a newspaper to its members, ''SD-Kuriren''. Since 2005 the paper has been printed in [[tabloid]] format, and approximately 28,000 copies have been published.
The Sweden Democrats have complained about difficulties buying advertising space due to the media using the right to choose whom they permit to advertise.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bhhrg.org/CountryReport.asp?ChapterID=239&CountryID=51&ReportID=83| title=BHHRG| accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> However, on [[June 16]], [[2006]], [[Dagens Nyheter]] and [[Svenska Dagbladet]] decided to stop their boycott. [[Expressen]] still retains the ban on Sweden Democrat advertising.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dn.se/?a=553097| title=DN - Kultur - Fritt fram för Sverigedemokraterna att annonsera| accessdate=2006-08-01}}</ref> The Sweden Democrats often claim to be the victims of a conspiracy with the intent of deceiving the Swedish people and making sure they cannot be heard.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larsson|first=Stieg|title=Överleva deadline : handbok för hotade journalister|origyear=2000|publisher=Svenska journalistförbundet}}</ref><ref>[http://www.expo.se/www/1_1491.html eXpo: Vem ska SD skylla på nu?]</ref>
== Political history ==
[[Image:Sdsticker.jpg|thumb|Early campaign sticker using the ''[[Bevara Sverige Svenskt]]'' ("Keep Sweden Swedish") slogan.]]
The party has its origins in the movement ''[[Bevara Sverige Svenskt]]'' ("Preserve Sweden Swedish").<ref name="nazi1">{{cite web| title=Aftonbladet nyheter: HOTET MOT DEMOKRATIN| url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/9912/02/nazi1.html| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/> During the mid 1990s, the party leader [[Mikael Jansson]] strove to make the party more respectable, modelling it after other "euronationalist" parties, most prominently the French [[National Front (France)|National Front]]. This policy continues to be followed by the present leader [[Jimmie Åkesson]]. This effort included ousting openly extremist members, who then founded the opposing [[National Democrats (Sweden)|National Democrats]] party.
The Sweden Democrats were active in LePen's [[Euronat]], but first the main party left, then the youth organisation, then they denied ever being members, then they denied that Euronat ever existed.<ref>''Janssons Frestelse'' week 18, 1999.</ref><ref>[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2000-1/sweden.htm Stephen Roth Institute: Sweden in 2000]</ref><ref>[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw99-2000/sweden.htm Stephen Roth Institute: Sweden in 1999]</ref><ref>[http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/9910/05/fascist.html Aftonbladet: Fascisterna har blivit ’rumsrena’]</ref>
=== The 2002 election campaign ===
The Sweden Democrats regarded their results in the [[Sweden general election, 2002|2002 Swedish general elections]] as a success. The party focused its campaign on its pledges to restrict immigration and build a culturally homogenous Sweden. Party officials stressed during the campaign that the Sweden Democrats is a democratic party that opposes all forms of xenophobia and racism. However, despite this official image, party members were accused of exactly such views by journalists and representatives of other political parties. Also, party officials were attacked by individual thugs, and the party's meetings were disturbed by demonstrations by left-wing groups such as [[Antifascistisk aktion|Anti-Fascist Action]] and the [[Young Left]].<ref name="polopoly 59907">{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=59907| title=I Sveriges namn| publisher=Dagens Nyheter| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
=== The 2006 election campaign ===
The Sweden Democrats again failed to gain representation in Sweden's national parliament, the ''Riksdag'', in the 2006 general elections. However, they significantly increased their support by receiving 2.9% support at the national level and gaining representation in a majority of the nation's municipalities. In the municipality of [[Landskrona]], 22% voted for the Sweden Democrats.
=== The Mohammed cartoon debate ===
After the Danish paper ''[[Jyllands-Posten]]'' published twelve cartoons depicting Mohammed and ignited the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]] during the fall and winter of 2005, the party gave its unreserved support to the publication with reference to the [[freedom of speech]]. The party stated that it saw no reason why a Danish newspaper should be forced to abide by Muslim rules and prohibitions regarding expression. When the boycott of Danish products was launched in the Middle East, the Sweden Democrats launched a "Buy Danish" campaign in support of Danish workers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sverigedemokraterna.net/kampanj_dk.php?action=fullnews&id=569| title=Stöd Danmark - Köp danskt!| publisher=Sverigedemokraterna| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> In 2006 the party entered [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|the Mohammed cartoon debate]] by publishing a Mohammed-depicting cartoon on its youth league and ''SD-Kuriren'' websites. The cartoon showed Mohammed from behind holding a mirror in front of his face. However, instead of any facial features, the mirror showed only a blank head. The cartoon was captioned "Mohammed's Face" (''Muhammeds ansikte'' in Swedish).<ref name="polopoly 520257">{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520257| title=Muhammedteckningar borta efter Säposamtal| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=Dagens Nyheter}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
The publication attracted the attention of the Swedish government. The government informed internet service provider Levonline about the party's publications. Subsequently, Levonline shut down the party’s web page. The government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, [[Laila Freivalds]], denied any direct interference. However, at the same time Laila Freivalds condemned the publication as a provocation.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520473| publisher=Dagens Nyheter| accessdate=2006-05-26| title="Regeringen har inte varit inblandad"}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520572| title=Säpo försvarar beslut att stänga SD-sajt| publisher=Dagens Nyheter| accessdate=2006-05-26}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520475| title=Mycket krävs för sajtstängning| publisher= Dagens Nyheter| accessdate=2006-05-26}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520416| title=Säpo lägger locket på| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher= Dagens Nyheter}} {{sv icon}}</ref> Freivalds then resigned as Minister after being accused of interference with press freedom, and lying about such actions.
This event spurred debate on government censorship in Sweden. The party also had a [[hate speech]] charge filed against them due to the posted caricature.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=521459| title=Centerpartist polisanmäler Sverigedemokraterna| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher= Dagens Nyheter}} {{sv icon}}</ref> Similar hate speech charges were filed against other Swedish publishers who depicted Mohammed.<ref name="polopoly 520257"/> However, these charges were immediately deemed to be unfounded by the Swedish ''[[Justitiekansler]]'' (Attorney-General).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/inrikes/did_11790299.asp| title=Kritik mot stängning av nättidning| publisher=Svenska Dagbladet| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
The party originally planned to publish a set of cartoons in the party newspaper, ''SD-Kuriren''. However, after the controversy erupted, party leader [[Jimmie Åkesson]] issued a statement on the party's website on [[9 February]] [[2006]], stating that it would refrain from further publications online and in print, due to concerns that it might spur hostile actions against Swedes and Swedish interests.<ref name="www.sverigedemokraterna.se">{{cite web| url=http://www.sverigedemokraterna.se/| title=Sverigedemokraterna| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sdkuriren.se/nyheter.php?action=fullnews&id=1369| publisher=SD Kuriren| title=Vädjanden från landsmän fick oss att stanna upp| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sdkuriren.se/nyheter.php?action=fullnews&id=1372| title=Sverigedemokratisk Ungdom tar bort bilder efter samtal med SÄPO| publisher=SD Kuriren| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sdkuriren.se/nyheter.php?action=fullnews&id=1368| title=Sverigedemokraterna avstår från vidare publicering av Muhammedbilder av hänsyn till svenska liv| publisher=SD Kuriren| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
The shutdown of the party's websites was reported to [[Konstitutionsutskottet]] by the [[Liberal People's Party (Sweden)|Liberal People's Party]] leader [[Lars Leijonborg]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dn.se/?a=520730| publisher=Dagens Nyheter| title=Stängning av SD-sajt till KU| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> The party filed charges against the Security Police and the Department of State with the Swedish ''[[Justitiekansler]]'' and ''[[Justitieombudsman]]'', alleging that the government's interference was unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sdkuriren.se/nyheter.php?action=fullnews&id=1371| title=Sverigedemokraterna anmäler UD och SÄPO till JO och JK| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=SD Kuriren}} {{sv icon}}</ref> The spokesperson of the [[Green Party (Sweden)|Swedish Green Party]] [[Peter Eriksson (politician)|Peter Eriksson]] also expressed concern over possible government involvement in the event.
== Ideology ==
The Sweden Democrats' party programme is based on [[cultural nationalism]]:<ref name="www.sverigedemokraterna.se"/><ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/>
===Basic political ideas===
"The pillar of Sweden Democrats’ ideological message is manifest from the party's statement of principles, which it published in 2003:
:"The critical ingredient of a safe, harmonic, solid and supportive society is the common identity, which in turn requires a high degree of ethnic and cultural uniformity amongst the people. From this, it follows that the nationalist principle, the principle of one state, one nation, is absolutely fundamental to the Sweden Democrats’ political values. The nationalist principle is based on the concept of the nation state, that the territorial boundaries of the state shall coincide with its demographic boundaries. In its ideal form, such a society is therefore ethnically homogenous. [...] Cultural diversity is as necessary to mankind as biological diversity is to nature. The different cultures are mankind’s common heritage and they should be acknowledged and kept apart for the benefit of us all. [...] Countries containing a multiple of relatively strong cultures have tended to develop in such a way that they end up diluting the different ethnicities and totally eradicating their original identities. We the Sweden Democrats believe that the safest way to protect the diversity of cultures, taking into consideration respect for human rights, is to do so as much as possible in the paradigm of the nation state. (Sverigedemokraterna 2003)"<ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/>
=== Foreign policy===
The Sweden Democrats believe that [[immigration]], [[Islamization|"Islamization"]], [[Supranationalism|supranationality]] (e.g., the [[European Union]]), [[cultural imperialism]] (mainly from the USA), and [[globalisation]] are the greatest threats to the unique Swedish culture. The party wishes to pursue a looser co-operation between Sweden and other European states.
=== National and social justice ===
The party claims to advocate national responsibility, social justice, and an ecological consciousness. Further, the party wishes to promote a general moral improvement in Swedish society, protect fundamental Western and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ethics, and strengthen national unity in order to create solidarity between ethnic Swedes.
=== Economic policy ===
The Sweden Democrats wish to lower taxes and reduce government intervention in the economy to promote the growth of small business enterprises. In order to reduce unemployment, the party sees a need to improve the general business climate, especially for smaller enterprises. A key point in the party's economic policy is the claim that the so called "multicultural experiment" costs the Swedish government approximately 267 billion Swedish kronor (2000) every year{{Fact|date=August 2007}}. Thus, by reducing the costs of immigration, the party believes that it will both be able to reduce taxes as well as enhance the general level of welfare.
===Family policy===
They are in favor of the traditional [[nuclear family]] and believe that every child should have "one father and one mother", according to their website. They are therefore against allowing homosexual couples to adopt children (which is already possible according to Swedish law).
=== Immigration policy ===
The party explicitly states that the current immigration and assimilation policies have been a failure. The party feels that the current situation with a large number of immigrants living in cultural enclaves is not beneficial for the country. The immigrants themselves are rootless, there has been rising antagonistic tensions between various population groups, and the immigration in itself, the party says, has caused social and economic strains on the country. Against this background, the party wishes to restrict immigration and encourages the repatriation of large immigrant groups. The party has referred to the recommendations from the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] ([[UNHCR]]) which state that the return of refugees should be the normal final solution to refugee problems. Party secretary Torbjörn Kastell has said that the party wants "a multicultural world, not a multicultural society."<ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/> In a 2008 survey, a significant minority of 39 percent of all Swedes thought that there were "too many foreigners in the country"<ref>http://www.thelocal.se/12446/20080615/</ref> — however, this does not mean that all of those would support SD policies.
According to the party manifesto:
:"The tendency in modern times has been towards incredibly widespread immigration from distant countries. An explicit goal to create a pluralistic society has seriously jeopardized the Swedish nation and its homogenous composition. There can be no doubt that such a policy constitutes a grave violation of the nationalist principle (Sverigedemokraterna 2003). [...] The mass immigration of the past decades has come to pose a serious threat to our national identity by creating huge areas populated by people who will never see themselves as Swedish nor as part of our culture or our history. Thanks to an irresponsible immigration policy designed to create a 'multicultural society', new ethnic minorities have established themselves on Swedish soil, with growing social problems being the result (Sverigedemokraterna 2002)."<ref name="hsf.bgu.ac.il"/>
== Controversies ==
* During the [[Elections in Sweden|Swedish general elections]] in 1991, the party held a meeting in Stockholm where, among others, [[Franz Schönhuber]], the then leader of the German party [[Republicans (Germany)|Die Republikaner]], and [[Anthony Hancock (publisher)|Anthony Hancock]], a British producer of anti-Semitic propaganda, gave speeches. Further, it was stated that in September 1991 a number of party members attended a meeting in [[London]] where the English historian [[David Irving]] gave a speech. [[Combat 18]] was in charge of the security during the meeting.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/index_1.php?pg=| title=EXPO| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> (''Bakgrund: Bakom den demokratiska fasaden, Expo nr 3 - 1997'')
* During the Swedish general elections in 1991 and 1994 the party had candidates in Hedemora, Malmö, Mölndal, Sigtuna, and Stockholm who had previously been active in Nazi organisations.<ref name="nazi1"/>
* The first version of the youth league was initially founded in 1993, but was later disbanded by the main party after it became clear that a number of the youth league's members had Nazi political views. The members of the youth league who held those views left the party and formed a new organisation called [[SUNS]].
* Between 1993 and 1995, [[Robert Vesterlund]] was active in the party (both in the main party and, for a short time, the leader of the party's youth organization before it was disbanded). After the debacle with the youth organization, he left the party.<ref name="nazi1"/>
* In 1996 a female party member left the party. She was the representative for the Sweden Democrats in [[Höör]], and later became involved in the [[National Socialist Front]]. However, she has now left political life, and made a statement in an interview in ''[[Aftonbladet]]''.<ref name="nazi1"/>
* In 1998 the party banned the wearing of uniforms during meetings and started to distance themselves from Nazism.<ref name="nazi1"/>
* During the [[Sweden general election, 1998|Swedish general election in 1998]] it was discovered that two of the party's candidates for municipal election in [[Malmö]] had previously been members of two outspoken Nazi organisations; one was a member of the [[Nysvenska rörelsen]] and the other was a member of the [[National Socialist Front]]. Also, one of the party leaders in [[Helsingborg]] played in a [[white power]] band that had performed at the August 1998 National Socialist Front rally.<ref name="nazi1"/>
* During the Swedish general election in 1998, the French [[National Front (France)|National Front]] supported the Sweden Democrats financially. The then-party leader [[Mikael Jansson]] has stated that the support consisted of printing 250 000 of the party's election brochures.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/inrikes/did_2275826.asp| title=Extremparti får mothugg| publisher= Svenska Dagbladet| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://web.archive.org/web/20040617030323/http://www.sverigedemokraterna.se/sd/asikter_skolwebb_utl.shtml| title=Sverigedemokraternas utländska kontakter| publisher=Sverigedemokraterna| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}} (via Internet Archive)</ref>
* In 2002, second vice-chairman [[Torbjörn Kastell]] stated in a [[Dagens Nyheter]] interview that, as a way to counter the multicultural policies pursued by the main parties, he advocated a policy that would ban mosques, prohibit the wearing of traditional Muslim clothing in public spaces, and end the serving of special food in public schools. However, he stressed that he found it unfair that these kinds of ideas were viewed as xenophobic and racist. He felt that the policies were merely ways to assimilate immigrants into Swedish society.<ref name="polopoly 59907"/>
* In a speech during the 2002 election campaign the leading member Kenneth Sandberg said "Even more often it happens that dark skinned youths mug and knock down helpless elderly on their way home with their meagre pensions. Our young boys - blond, blue eyed - are humiliated and mugged of their cell phones. A new phenomenon in Sweden's history is the gang rapes of our girls.". <!-- "Allt oftare händer det att fyra mörkhyade ynglingar rånar och slår ner värnlösa gamlingar, som är på väg hem från posten med sina ynka pensioner. Och våra unga pojkar - blonda, blåögda - förödmjukas och rånas på sina mobiltelefoner. Ett alldeles nytt fenomen i Sveriges historia är gruppvåldtäkterna på våra flickor." --><ref name="polopoly 59907"/>
* A Sweden Democrat holding a seat in [[Kristinehamn]] left the party in 2003 after writing several anti-Semitic and Holocaust-denying letters to various authorities.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_839.html| title=SD-politiker spred antisemitism| publisher=EXPO| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* According to the representatives of [[Miljöpartiet]] and [[Liberal People's Party (Sweden)|Liberal People's Party]], two SD members holding seats in [[Trollhättan]] made several anti-Islamic remarks during a debate.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_405.html| title=SD avslöjar sitt islamofobiska jag| publisher=EXPO| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* On [[22 March]] [[2003]], the SD candidate in [[Helsingborg]] was arrested by the police when he, together with several known Nazis (including the local leader of [[Nationalsocialistisk Front]]) attacked an anti-racist demonstration.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_661.html| title=Ökat politiskt våld i Helsingborg| year=10/7 2003| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=EXPO}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* For the 2004 election to the European Parliament, the party received 200,000 SEK from the Belgian anti-Semite [[Bernard Mengal]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://hd.se/allmant/2004/01/27/extremist_ska_finansiera_sd_s_eu/| title=Extremist ska finansiera sd:s EU-val| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=Helsingborgs Dagblad}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expressen.se/index.jsp?a=128678| title=Sverigedemokraterna får miljoner av rik rasist| publisher=Expressen| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* Party secretary [[Tommy Funebo]] left the party in [[2004]] and publicly described the party as being infested by Nazis, only differing from them for tactical reasons. Being without a party program, he stated, they are only united in their hatred towards foreigners. The party leader at the time, [[Mikael Jansson]], reacted by calling Funebo a destructive liar.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/index_1.php?pg=http%3A//www.expo.se/www/1_1091.html| title="Sverigedemokraterna och avhopparen"| year=2004-06-03| publisher=EXPO| accessdate=2006-12-03}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* In 2004, party chairman Mikael Jansson defended the so called "bergsjö letter" sent out by the SD in Gothenburg. In the letter, SD Gothenburg said they wanted to use party money to help "Swedes and fraternal peoples moving from areas with many immigrants." They also wanted "Bergsjön to be divided into one multicultural part and one pure part, awaiting assimilation or repatriation of the foreign."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_1185.html| title=Mikael Jansson (sd) om bergsjöbrevet: "lätt att försvara"| year=2004-11-24| publisher=EXPO| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
* At the SD's national meeting in 2004, several Gothenburg members had a background in [[National Democrats (Sweden)]]. The head of the election committee also had a prominent position in the [[Nordic Reich Party]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gp.se/gp/road/Classic/shared/printArticle.jsp?d=100&a=204571| title=Ex-nazist ny ordförande för sd| publisher=Göteborgs-Posten| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_1187.html| title=Före detta ”kryptonazister” på SD-riksårsmöte| year=2004-11-25| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=EXPO}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/goteborg/nyheter/artikel.asp?artikel=568631| title=Ex-nazist ny ordförande i sverigedemokraterna i Mölndal| accessdate=2006-05-25| publisher=Sveriges Radio}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://expressen.se?d=10&a=249227| title=Ex-nazist ny ordförande i Sverigedemokraterna| publisher=Expressen| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> He was asked to resign,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.analyskritik.press.se/Sverige/Partierna/SD/SD.htm#SD:s_M%F6lndalsordf%F6rande_f%E5r_avg%E5| title=SD:s Mölndalsordförande får avgå| publisher=Tidskriften Analys & Kritik| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sverigedemokraterna.net/nyhet.php?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=206| title=Kontroversiell Mölndalsordförande uppmanas att avgå| publisher=Sverigedemokraterna| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> but refused<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.expo.se/www/1_1307.html| title=SD-ordförande lämnar inte post| year=2005-03-31| publisher=EXPO| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref> and was later expelled.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://sydsvenskan.se/sverige/article124597.ece| title=Sverigedemokraterna rensar ut medlemmar| publisher=Sydsvenskan| first=Niklas| last=Orrenius| year=26 October 2005| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
===The Sweden Democrats' response to the controversy===
The party tries in the public discourse to dissociate itself from all forms of totalitarianism and racism (e.g., [[Nazism]]), and states that it considers the [[1948]] [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] a fundamental component of its politics. Furthermore, the party says that its fundamental goal is to combine the principle of social and economic justice with traditional conservative values. For this reason, the party believes that it is not easily pinpointed on the traditional left-right political spectrum in Swedish politics.<ref name="www.sverigedemokraterna.se"/> Also, the Sweden Democrats say they have expelled all openly extremist members from the party, who now form the [[neo-fascism|neo-fascist]] [[National Democrats (Sweden)|National Democrats]]. The Sweden Democrats complain about a media boycott, which they say has resulted in negative characterisations of the party, despite being given more coverage than other parties of similar size. On [[March 18]] [[2006]] the Sweden Democrats filed a complaint with the Press Ombudsman against [[Expressen]] for their series of articles about the party.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sdkuriren.se/nyheter.php?action=fullnews&id=1494| publisher=SD Kuriren| title=Sverigedemokraterna anmäler Expressen till Pressombudsmannen| accessdate=2006-05-25}} {{sv icon}}</ref>
==Election results==
<!-- what is meant by "receiving a mandate"?-->
The party has never received widespread support, but it has recently seen its electoral support increase somewhat, receiving 2.9% of the votes in the September 2006 general elections. At the local level, the party is represented in a majority of the [[Municipalities of Sweden|Swedish municipalities]].
In the 1988 Swedish general elections, the party received 1,118 votes. At the [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipal]] level, the party failed to gain seats in any municipality.
In the [[Sweden general election, 1991|1991 Swedish general elections]], the party received two local mandates (that is, two representatives in the municipal assembly), one in [[Dals-Ed]] and one in Höör.
In the [[Sweden general election, 1994|1994 Swedish general elections]], the party received 13,954 votes. It received a total of five local mandates, two in Höör, two in Dals-Ed, and one in [[Ekerö]].
In the [[Sweden general election, 1998|1998 Swedish general elections]], the party received 19,624 votes (0.37% of the total number of votes cast). It received a total of eight local mandates, two in Höör, two in [[Trollhättan]], two in [[Haninge]], one in [[Sölvesborg]], and one in Dals-Ed.
In the Swedish elections for the European Parliament in 1999, the party received 8,568 votes (0.33% of the total number of votes cast).
In the 2001 elections to the Church Assembly, the party received 0.8% of the total number of votes cast and gained two mandates in the Church Assembly (''Kyrkomötet'').
[[Image:Sdmunicipalmap2002-2006.png|thumb|left|250px|SD municipal election results 2002-2006.]] In the [[Sweden general election, 2002|2002 Swedish general elections]], the party received 76,300 votes (1.44% of the total number of votes cast), making it the largest party without representation in the [[Riksdag|Swedish Parliament]]. At the municipal level, the party presented candidates in 79 Swedish municipalities. In 29 municipalities the party gained a total of 63 local seats.
In the Swedish elections for the European Parliament in 2004, the party received 27,707 votes (1.13% of the total number of votes cast).
In the 2005 [[Elections to the Church Assembly, 2005|elections to the Church Assembly]], the party received 1.7% of the total number of votes cast.
In the [[Swedish general election, 2006|2006 Swedish general election]] the Sweden Democrats went forward strongly, gaining 2.9% of the votes and thus ensuring governmental financial support for the next four years. The party is thus 1.1 [[percentage point]]s from achieving representation in the national parliament, the [[Riksdag]], and it has also strengthened its positions in various local assemblies, particularly in southern Sweden. In the city of [[Landskrona]] the party received 22,3% of the electoral votes and is thus the third largest party in the city council. The party gained a total of 286 local seats in 145 Swedish municipalities.
==Party leaders==
<!-- Spokespersons aren't leaders
* [[Leif Zeilon|Leif Ericsson]] and [[Jonny Berg]] (1988–1989; spokespersons)
* [[Ola Sundberg]] and [[Anders Klarström]] (1989–1990; spokespersons)
* [[Anders Klarström]] and [[Madeleine Larsson]] (1990–1992; spokespersons)-->
* [[Anders Klarström]] (1992–1995)
* [[Mikael Jansson]] (1995–2005)
* [[Jimmie Åkesson]] (2005–present)
===Other prominent party members===
* [[Sten Andersson (SD)|Sten Andersson]]
* [[Sven-Olle Olsson]] (deceased)
==References==
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<references/>
</div>
==External links==
* {{en icon}} [http://www.sverigedemokraterna.net/int_text.php?action=fullnews&id=225 Sweden Democrats]
* {{sv icon}} [http://www.sverigedemokraterna.se Sweden Democrats]
* {{sv icon}} [http://www.sdkuriren.se/ SD-Kuriren]
* {{sv icon}} [http://www.ungsvenskarna.se/ Sweden Democrat Youth]
{{Swedish political parties}}
{{Swedish far right}}
[[Category:Political parties established in 1988]]
[[Category:Nationalist parties]]
[[Category:Political parties in Sweden]]
[[da:Sverigedemokraterna]]
[[de:Sverigedemokraterna]]
[[fr:Démocrates suédois]]
[[nl:Sverigedemokraterna]]
[[ja:スウェーデン民主党]]
[[no:Sverigedemokraterna]]
[[pl:Szwedzcy Demokraci]]
[[ru:Шведские Демократы]]
[[fi:Ruotsidemokraatit]]
[[sv:Sverigedemokraterna]]