Sweden Democrats Push Controversial Migration Policy Amid Political Tensions

The Sweden Democrats (SD), led by Jimmie Åkesson, remain at the center of Sweden's contentious migration policy debate in 2026. Åkesson recently reaffirmed his party's commitment to drastically restrict immigration by advocating for the withdrawal of permanent residency permits, a move opposed by other government coalition members. This proposal could impact up to 185,000 people currently residing in Sweden by transforming their permanent residency permits into temporary ones, thereby increasing the likelihood of deportations.

This hardline stance aligns with SD’s long-standing ideology focused on limiting immigration and enforcing deportations, which continues to shape national policy discussions. Starting in June, new legislation will tighten citizenship requirements, extending the residence period from five to eight years. Temporary permits will become more restricted, granted primarily on grounds such as job security or protection needs.

The controversy surrounding SD’s migration policies reflects a larger political shift since the 2015 refugee crisis, with once mainstream parties adopting tougher stances on migration, leading to systemic challenges and sparking public debate. Even former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has acknowledged the need for adjustments or "a ventil" in the migration framework to ease the pressure.

Åkesson’s insistence on these demands highlights the Sweden Democrats’ influence on Sweden’s political landscape despite opposition within the coalition. The party's ideological consistency, rooted in the anti-immigration movement, continues to drive their agenda, stirring ongoing discussions about Sweden's approach to migration and integration.

Separately, an unrelated but notable incident involving the Sweden Democrats was reported: Rasmus Giertz, an SD politician assaulted in 2021, saw the accused acquitted recently due to the statute of limitations, underscoring the prolonged legal challenges tied to politically charged cases.