Sverigedemokraterna Releases Comprehensive White Paper Addressing Controversial Past
Sverigedemokraterna's new white paper addresses its controversial history and antisemitism.
Key Points
- • Sverigedemokraterna released a white paper detailing its history and controversial past.
- • The document addresses the party's links to antisemitism and far-right ideologies.
- • Jimmie Åkesson has apologized for past antisemitic connections of the party.
- • The research project for the white paper began in 2018, with two parts planned for release.
Sverigedemokraterna (SD) has released a significant white paper detailing the party's controversial history, a move aimed at confronting its roots in extremism and addressing past associations with antisemitism. The white paper, authored by historian Tony Gustafsson, explores SD's evolution from its founding in 1988 to its entrance into national politics in 2010. Christer Mattsson, a researcher from the Segerstedtinstitutet, has reviewed the document and describes it as a thorough academic examination that includes various critical aspects such as the party's connections to far-right ideology, white supremacy, and antisemitism.
In his analysis, Mattsson highlights how early members of SD were linked to neo-Nazi movements and how these ideological threads persisted within the organization for years. He notes, "These ideological traces lived on within the party, influencing both its members and activities." This historical context served as a backdrop for Jimmie Åkesson, the party leader, who has publicly apologized for the party's past associations with antisemitism, acknowledging the hurt caused by members who espoused such views.
The white paper project began ahead of the 2018 elections, but finding an independent researcher willing to undertake the task proved challenging, resulting in delays. The first part of the white paper was presented in 2022, and the second part is anticipated to be revealed during the Almedalen political week. Mattias Karlsson, also a prominent SD leader, expressed concern over the content of the first part of the report, stating it made him feel "a little queasy," indicating the party's ongoing struggle to confront its past.
The release of the white paper represents a critical step for SD as it attempts to reshape its public image and tackle its historical controversies. As Sweden's political landscape evolves, the implications of this white paper may significantly influence both public perception and the party's future trajectory in Swedish politics.