Sweden Democrats threaten far-right surge in landmark election

Former neo-Nazi party on course to be kingmakers amid fears of outside influence fuelled by Twitter bots

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, campaigns in Sundsvall, Sweden
Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, campaigns in Sundsvall, Sweden
(Image credit: Mats Andersson/FP/Getty Image)

Sweden is bracing itself for a surge in support for the far-right in Sunday’s election, which could see a once fringe neo-Nazi party serve as kingmakers in a future government and overturn a century of leftwing orthodoxy.

With four days to go until Swedes go the polls, the anti-immigrant Swedish Democrats are on course to become the country’s largest party, overtaking the Social Democrats, who have dominated politics for the last 100 years.

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