One in Four Swedish Politicians Faces Threats, with Many Considering Leaving Office
A quarter of Swedish politicians faced threats in 2024 with many considering resignation, highlighting concerns for democracy.
- • 25% of Swedish politicians faced threats or harassment in 2024, a decrease from 29% in 2022.
- • Women are more affected than men, with 27% reporting incidents compared to 24% of men.
- • 65% of members of parliament reported being targeted, compared to 31% in regional and 25% in municipal politics.
- • 25% of threatened politicians considered leaving their political roles due to safety concerns.
Key details
According to the 2025 Politician Safety Survey by Sweden's Brå agency, 25% of politicians experienced threats, harassment, violence, vandalism, or theft in 2024. This marks a slight decline from 29% in the 2022 election year but underscores ongoing concerns about politicians' safety and their impact on democratic engagement. Women are disproportionately affected, with 27% reporting incidents compared to 24% of men. Particularly at risk are members of Parliament, where 65% reported being targeted, as opposed to 31% in regional and 25% in municipal politics.
The survey highlights how nearly half of those targeted said the harassment negatively impacted their political work – the highest such impact recorded since these statistics have been tracked. This has led to 25% of the threatened politicians contemplating resignation over safety fears, raising alarm about the potential consequences for Sweden's democratic process. Younger politicians aged 30 to 39 were identified as the most vulnerable group. Party-wise, the Green Party had the highest rate of victimization at 33%, while the Center Party reported the lowest at 20%.
Complementing these findings, a report shared by Dagens ETC features an anonymous party activist describing such intense threats that they felt unsafe living at home, highlighting the personal toll of harassment beyond professional challenges. This testimony echoes a broader trend where the safety and security of political figures in Sweden are increasingly precarious.
Sara Afifi, a Brå researcher, noted that public figures well-known through media or social platforms, especially women, are particularly susceptible to these threats. These developments underscore an urgent need for enhanced protective measures to safeguard politicians and sustain democratic participation in Sweden.