A right to question? The rise of xenophobia in Sweden

"This is not happening," was my first reaction. The second was to burst into tears; what are you to do when your country - a nation you are deeply proud of - has just elected a xenophobic party to Parliament?

Sweden is not known for its bigoted politicians, closet racists or intolerant opinions, though we have had our share of white power and neo-Nazi movements. But on 1 9 September it was these very opinions that hit mainstream politics like a ton of bricks. That was when 5.7 per cent of eligible Swedes voted for the Sweden Democrats (SD), a nationalist party with euphemistically-phrased "responsible immigration policies" as their number one priority, giving them 20 seats in Parliament.

Upset voters, newspaper editors and political commentators all asked the same questions. How could this happen? What did we do wrong? What did they do right?

Obviously there is no single answer to this; if there was I would not have to worry about the SD being re-elected in four years' time.

Expo, an independent research foundation and magazine dedicated to fighting racism and right wing extremism throughout Swedish society, has carried out an extensive investigation into the SD's makeup. They established that the party has its roots in the 1980s neo-Nazi movement, attracting young skinheads and other rightwing extremists before, in the mid-nineties, setting out to become a respectable party fit for the mainstream political landscape – something they have managed with outstanding success. It should be noted that labelling the SD as right-wing extremists today might prove inaccurate. Much of their policy platform shows a desire for a dominant welfare state and secure labour market, but it is through ultra-conservative values and xenophobia that the party has made itself a name.

Like many of its European sister parties, the SD has based its politics on a drastic reduction in immigration, particularly focusing on what they call 'non-Western immigrants'. The implication, of course, is that Muslim immigrants are their major concern - an attitude characterised by ludicrously overstated claims that Muslims are "taking over the country" and that soon Swedes won't even be allowed to celebrate Christmas! The SD's stated desire is to "keep Sweden Swedish"; whatever that means. I am fairly sure it has something to do with dressing up as Vikings.

Unfortunately, the Swedish election result is not an isolated incident. Throughout Europe far-right populist parties are gaining momentum: Italy has Lega Nord; Belgium Vlaams Belang; France has the Front National and its infamous leader Jean-Marie Le Pen; the Netherlands has PVV; Denmark Dansk Folkeparti, and the UK has recently seen the rise of the English Defence League and the election of BNP candidates in some areas. In most cases more established political parties have tried to isolate, ignore or even incorporate their policies in order to limit any substantial influence. But these tactics have not worked; rather, the trend seems to be spreading.

Of course the question we should ask ourselves is: why do people feel the need to vote for these parties? Is it because sitting governments have failed miserably with their immigration policies? Is it because a Europe is swarming with full-blooded racists? Is it because we live in a more anonymous society than ever, where recession and uncertainty have left no one else to blame?

Opinion polls show that racism and xenophobia are steadily receding in Sweden, which would imply that not all of the 5.7% who voted for the SD are actual bigots. Or at least, that they would not admit to their prejudices when asked. This is encouraging, but inevitably leads to the question "why did they vote for a racist party?"

Actually, most of them did not; or at least they were not aware that they did. Politicians like the SD’s Jimmie Åkesson are not stupid, and they have very clever PR people at their side. They have managed to mainstream their policies to the point where people vote for them just to "rustle things up a bit" or "because I really agree with them when they say the elderly should be better cared for."

The only way to battle this is to take on the debate head-first. It is the responsibility of our established, democratic parties to meet them with hard facts, knowledge and compassion, not to try and ignore them into oblivion.

Let us hope that the hundreds of thousands of Swedes, from all different backgrounds and beliefs, who over the last few weeks have protested against intolerance and racism is the sign of an awakening. Complacency, ignorance and uncertainty give way to racism and hate. Let us make it our cause to fight it.