Sweden has taken over the EU Council Presidency for six months. The controversial Islamophobic Sweden Democrats are part of the Stockholm government. What will happen to Europe with them?
On January 1, Sweden took over the EU Council Presidency for the third time – but with a special sign given the composition of the new government in Stockholm: For the first time, the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats, who were once founded in the country’s neo-Nazi scene, are represented in it. Not only are you the majority bringer for the “Moderaterna” of the conservative prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, but you can also assert your influence. In the last election, Kristersson’s party received 19.1 percent fewer votes than the Sweden Democrats (SD) with 20.53 percent. The middle parties, which also rule with Kristersson, are only around five percent each. Accordingly, the Islamophobic SD, who have connections to the FPÖ, are likely to influence not only domestic politics, but also the shape of the EU Council Presidency in the coming six months.