On May 14, Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats (SD), took public debate in Sweden into a new dimension. That very morning, TV4 had revealed that the communications department of the far-right, neo-Nazi party was hosting a "troll factory," using anonymous social media accounts to spread disinformation and attack other parties, including its liberal and conservative allies in the governing coalition formed since October 2022. This information caused a stir in political circles and highlighted the far-right's domination of public debate.
While right and left alike have demanded explanations and apologies, Akesson went on the offensive. In a "speech to the nation" on his party's YouTube channel, the SD boss voiced his rage, flanked by a Swedish flag. He denounced "a gigantic domestic influence operation carried out by the entire leftist-liberal establishment" and accused the country's "mainstream media" of taking part in a "homemade smear campaign" aimed at destabilizing his party, given around 19% in polls ahead of the European elections.
The speech was criticized by the journalists' union, the NGO Reporters Without Borders, and the press advocacy organization PEN. It made no difference: on May 24, Akesson repeated his remarks during a debate in parliament, which should have been devoted to Europe, but remained bogged down in acerbic exchanges between the government majority and political opposition, around threats posed to democracy by the SD troll factory. In the meantime, the party has made it clear that it has no intention of giving up its anonymous accounts. It has merely agreed to delete 45 messages considered offensive by its allies in the government coalition. Two employees will also have to undergo a day of "respect training."
For the Conservatives, Christian Democrats, and Liberals, the setback is undeniable. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson denounced "serious" failures and demanded "answers." He has now reiterated that "the activities of the SD communications service are not [his] problem." He insisted that his government had "far more serious" issues to deal with. On May 24, in front of parliament, he attempted a strange diversionary maneuver. Condemning the "unworthy Americanization" of the debate, he proposed that the Sweden Democrats and Social Democrats join forces with his party in the European Parliament to form "Team Sweden," which would "defend Sweden's interests."
On social media, SD politicians and supporters were exultant. "We're witnessing a huge shift," noted Asa Wikforss, professor of philosophy at Stockholm University, comparing Akesson's strategy to that of former US president Donald Trump, after the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. "Just a few years ago," she continued, "there would have been consequences [to the discovery of the troll factory]. But that's no longer the case, which is very worrying, because when you start legitimizing this kind of behavior, norms move and, with them, the whole political spectrum. What was unthinkable before becomes possible, and you lose control."
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