World News
Sweden Democrats campaign posters spark protests and public transport disruption ahead of national election
Advertisements targeting immigrants led to driver sick-outs in western Sweden and debate over the far-right party's role in government.
The short version
- The Sweden Democrats launched high-profile transit ad campaigns ahead of Sweden's September 13 general election, prompting public backlash and campaign poster removals in western Sweden.
- Around 20 bus drivers with Somali heritage called in sick to protest bus ads promoting increased repatriation grants, leading transit operator Vasttrafik to take down the posters over harassment and vandalism concerns.
- The party spent approximately $100,000 on a separate campaign at Stockholm Central Station stating that criminals, benefit recipients, and non-Swedish speakers were 'not welcome.'
- Sweden Democrats MP Tobias Andersson accused the transport operator of censorship and election sabotage, while late August polls showed the party's support slightly down from 2022 levels at 18 to 19 percent.
Key facts
- The Sweden Democrats spent approximately $100,000 on a weeklong advertisement campaign at Stockholm Central Station featuring posters targeting criminals, benefit recipients, and non-Swedish speakers.[Al Jazeera]
- The party ran a separate ad campaign on buses in western Sweden promoting repatriation grants that the government recently increased to about $36,000 per adult.[Al Jazeera]
- Around 20 bus drivers with roots in Somalia called in sick in protest, prompting public transport operator Vasttrafik to remove the bus advertisements.[Al Jazeera]
- Vasttrafik cited fears of driver harassment, working environment risks, and potential vandalism as reasons for taking down the posters.[Al Jazeera]
- Sweden Democrats MP Tobias Andersson stated that removing the ads constituted censorship and election sabotage.[Al Jazeera]
- Sweden's general election is scheduled for September 13, with late August polling putting the Sweden Democrats at 18 to 19 percent.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the Sweden Democrats will formally join a governing coalition for the first time following the September 13 election.[Al Jazeera]