Sweden Democrats Rally Behind Jimmie Åkesson and Push for Swexit Amidst Municipal Resistance to Repatriation Plans
Sweden Democrats endorse Jimmie Åkesson for prime minister and advocate Swexit while facing municipal pushback over repatriation policies.
- • Denice Westerberg supports Jimmie Åkesson's candidacy for prime minister and advocates for Swexit.
- • She proposes a migration police force similar to that in the USA.
- • SD is increasing voluntary repatriation grants and appointing a national coordinator for repatriation.
- • Some municipalities refuse cooperation, prompting SD to consider cutting their state funding.
Key details
Denice Westerberg, spokesperson for Ungsvenskarnas, has voiced strong support for Jimmie Åkesson to become Sweden’s prime minister after the next election, underlining the party’s backing of his leadership ambitions. Westerberg also advocates for Sweden's exit from the European Union — a policy known as Swexit — signaling the Sweden Democrats’ increasing focus on national sovereignty. In addition, Westerberg suggests the introduction of a migration police force modeled after that of the United States to better handle identification and deportation of unauthorized migrants.
Concurrently, the Sweden Democrats are pushing for stricter immigration policies, including increasing voluntary repatriation grants to 350,000 kronor starting next year and appointing a national coordinator to oversee the initiative. However, many municipalities, particularly those led by the Social Democrats, have refused to cooperate with the coordinator, fearing loss of residents and reduced local influence.
Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats has proposed cutting state funding for municipalities that refuse to participate in repatriation efforts, despite the party’s usual emphasis on municipal self-governance and caution against forced placements of newcomers. This proposal risks alienating the party’s voter base, many of whom live in Social Democratic-controlled municipalities. The state provided 177 billion kronor in grants to municipalities last year, highlighting the financial stakes involved. This tension reveals challenges within SD’s strategy as they pursue tougher immigration policies alongside political contradictions within local governance systems.