Over 800 Swedish Election Candidates Have Criminal Records, Sverigedemokraterna Leads with Highest Proportion

A recent investigation by Dagens ETC, based on data from the Swedish Election Authority, has revealed that 806 political candidates in Sweden's upcoming 2026 elections possess criminal convictions from the past decade. The analysis reviewed 987 court rulings connected to nearly 50,000 candidates from the country’s eight parliamentary parties.

The Sverigedemokraterna party notably stands out, with 3.3% of its candidates—equating to 187 individuals—having been convicted of crimes, the highest percentage among all parties. In contrast, other parties have considerably lower rates: Vänsterpartiet has 2.0%, Kristdemokraterna 1.8%, Moderaterna 1.7%, Liberalerna 1.6%, and Miljöpartiet, Socialdemokraterna, and Centerpartiet each at 1.1%. The range of offenses among these candidates includes serious crimes such as assault, drug-related offenses, weapons violations, child pornography, sexual harassment, embezzlement, and purchasing sex.

Political scientist Jenny Madestam described the findings regarding Sverigedemokraterna as "a paradox," highlighting the party’s tough-on-crime public stance juxtaposed with a higher acceptance of candidates with criminal backgrounds.

Following the public disclosure of these findings, four convicted politicians decided to withdraw their candidacies ahead of the elections. This report has sparked a broader debate on candidate vetting and the implications of representatives with criminal pasts standing for public office in Sweden.

As Sweden approaches its 2026 national election on September 14, these revelations present a critical element for voters to consider regarding political accountability and party integrity.