Progressive politics must respond to the normalisation of formerly fringe views that are now mainstream
The legacy of a seismic political autumn is beginning to unfold. Just before politics adjourned for the Christmas break, the migration minister in Sweden’s new rightwing government announced a plan to make it easier to revoke residence permits for immigrants. Maria Malmer Stenergard belongs to the centre-right Moderate party, but at her side during the press conference was Henrik Vinge, the deputy leader of the Sweden Democrats.
A radical-right party that originated in fringe neo-Nazi movements, the Sweden Democrats are not part of the governing coalition. In fact, until the landmark election in September, when the party finished second, it had been judged beyond the pale and excluded from power. Technically that remains the case. But – as Mr Vinge’s presence testified – the reality is very different. Dependent on the Sweden Democrats’ support to stay in office, the prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, allows it to exert significant influence, particularly on favourite topics such as migration and crime.
