The Sweden Democrats, a party with white supremacist roots, won 17.6%, about 5% points more than four years ago. "Most signs pointed towards the Sweden Democrats taking over the position as the second-biggest party in Sweden. In the end, the Sweden Democrats were beaten by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven's Social Democrats by a 10% point margin and eclipsed also by Ulf Kristersson's Moderates, the Alliance's candidate for the premiership. Sense of reliefThe Sweden Democrats' success follows a rise in popularity of other far-right parties in Europe amid growing anxiety over national identity, the effects of globalization and fears over immigration boosted by conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. Sweden saw itself as a "humanitarian superpower" for years, but a rise in gang violence in immigrant-dominated, socially deprived city suburbs has also won support for the Sweden Democrats.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 10, 2018 13:07 UTC