Survey Reveals One in Four Threatened Swedish Politicians Consider Quitting Amid Escalating Impact on Democracy

A recent 2024 safety survey conducted by Brå and commissioned by the Swedish government exposes an unsettling landscape for Swedish politicians regarding safety and democratic participation. Out of approximately 13,300 invited members of parliament and local councils, 7,500 responded, revealing that 25% experienced threats, harassment, violence, or vandalism in 2024, a slight improvement from 29% in 2022. Yet the consequences are intensifying — nearly half of those affected reported their political work had been influenced by these threats, marking the highest impact level recorded since the survey began in 2018.

The survey highlights that members of parliament are disproportionately targeted, with 65% reporting being threatened compared to 31% in regional politics and 25% in municipal roles. Women politicians face a somewhat higher risk than men, with 27% of women targeted against 24% of men, a long-standing trend. Multiple victimizations are common, with over half of those affected suffering between two and five incidents, and nearly a third facing six or more. Leadership positions and full-time politicians, particularly those aged 30-31, are among the most vulnerable groups.

Party-wise, the Green Party experiences the highest proportion of affected politicians at 33%, whereas the Center Party shows the lowest at 20%. Crucially, the survey uncovers a troubling democratic implication: one in four threatened politicians have considered resigning from their political posts, fueling concerns about diminished political engagement and potential self-censorship.

Anna Frenzel, a researcher at Brå, commented on the findings, emphasizing the severe threat this trend poses to Swedish democracy and the risk of deterring political involvement by exposing elected officials to repeated criminal acts. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced measures to safeguard politicians and uphold democratic institutions in Sweden.