One in Four Swedish Politicians Face Threats and Harassment, Survey Shows
A new 2024 survey reveals that 25% of Swedish politicians have faced threats or harassment, with serious impacts on political participation and democracy.
- • 25% of Swedish politicians experienced threats or harassment in 2024, the highest since 2012.
- • 65% of members of parliament and 33% of Miljöpartiet members reported victimization.
- • Women and politicians aged 30-39 are disproportionately affected.
- • Only 16.5% of incidents are reported to the police, with many politicians considering resignation.
Key details
According to the 2024 survey from the Swedish Crime Prevention Council (Brå), approximately 25% of elected politicians in Sweden have experienced threats, harassment, violence, vandalism, or theft, marking the highest recorded victimization rate since 2012. This survey, released on November 6, 2025, reflects a slight decrease from the 29% reported in the 2022 election year but remains a critical concern for political safety in the country.
The survey also reveals that 65% of members of parliament have been targeted, compared to significantly lower rates among regional (31%) and municipal (25%) representatives. Women politicians are disproportionately affected and more frequently report self-censorship due to harassment. While younger politicians historically faced higher levels of victimization, the 30 to 39 age group now reports the highest prevalence. Social media emerges as the primary arena for threats, with contentious topics such as immigration and environmental policies spurring hostility. Notably, Miljöpartiet members report the highest threat incidence at 33%.
The consequences are severe: nearly half of those subjected to threats say their trust in their political roles has been shaken, one in four seriously contemplated resigning, and 3% have already left their positions due to hostile conditions. Many politicians are curtailing their social media activity and avoiding specific political debates, which poses a threat to democratic engagement. Anna-Karin Hatt’s resignation as Centerpartiet leader highlighted the personal impact of this hostile environment.
Despite the high prevalence of incidents, only about 16.5% of the threats and harassment cases are reported to the police. Anna Frenzel of Brå emphasizes that crimes against elected officials often lack specific reporting mechanisms, contributing to underreporting. Researchers like Sara Afifi stress that victimization rates tend to rise during election years, with the 2024 survey capturing a snapshot of this ongoing challenge facing Swedish democracy.
This comprehensive report underscores the urgent need to address political safety in Sweden as escalating threats and harassment hinder the well-being and political participation of elected officials across the nation.