New Insights into Sweden Democrats' History Revealed in White Paper

The Sweden Democrats (SD) have engaged two political scientists, who have closely monitored the party's evolution, to review an upcoming white paper by historian Tony Gustafsson. This document presents a comprehensive account of the party's history.

Christer Mattsson, the head of the Segerstedt Institute in Gothenburg, asserts that the white paper effectively consolidates the party's historical narrative. He emphasizes that any previous ambiguities surrounding the party's origins and history have been resolved through this publication.

Mattsson points out that the white paper clearly highlights the party's troubling legacy, including its connections to nationalism, racial ideology, antisemitism, and elements of Holocaust denial.

It is well-established in the document that the party began a significant shift in direction in 1995, although problematic elements related to racism and Nazism persisted for a considerable time thereafter. According to Mattsson, when Jimmie Åkesson joined the party in 1995, the new trajectory was already precarious, and the historical issues within the party were evident to observers.

During a speech at Almedalen, Åkesson extended an apology to Swedish Jews for the party's antisemitic past. However, Mattsson believes a more explicit apology to Holocaust survivors would have been appropriate, noting that Holocaust denial, while not an official stance, was tolerated within the party, and inflammatory remarks were made at public demonstrations.

Andreas Johansson Heinö, a publisher at the market-liberal think tank Timbro, argues that the party finds it easier to apologize for antisemitism, as it has largely been eradicated from its current platform. He contrasts this with the ongoing issues surrounding racist rhetoric towards Muslims, which remain a contentious topic.

Johansson Heinö also highlights the white paper's examination of the ideological shifts within SD during the late 1990s. He notes that the party began expelling members with overt Nazi affiliations, a fact that is widely recognized. However, Gustafsson's research reveals that the party's views on issues such as foreign adoptions became more radicalized during this period, promoting the idea that one must be born to Swedish parents in Sweden to be considered Swedish--a stance that many would label as racist.

Despite Åkesson's efforts to remove such views from the party's platform, Johansson Heinö indicates that strong factions within the party maintained these beliefs throughout Åkesson's early years as leader. It wasn't until the 2010s that these ethnic-based perspectives began to diminish from the party's identity.

Both political scientists agree that the white paper is a substantial contribution to understanding the party's history, with Mattsson characterizing it as a thorough and important work. Johansson Heinö concurs, stating that it stands out as the most comprehensive account of the party's past.

As of the latest reports, Jimmie Åkesson has not provided any comments regarding the findings of the white paper.