STOCKHOLM — Sweden's general election on Sept. 13 has taken a sharp turn following allegations that a senior official from the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats maintains links to Russian influence operations.
On Sept. 3, Expo, an investigative publication, alleged that Polina Malaberg, a Russian-born naturalized Swede and longtime party aide, was connected to Russian influence operations. Malaberg currently serves on the Riksdag's Constitutional Committee.
According to Expo, Malaberg accompanied a Sweden Democrats member of parliament to Moscow in 2017 on a trip funded by the Russian government. She has also reportedly been involved in networks within Sweden that maintain links to Russian intelligence services. Malaberg has not responded to requests for comment.
Jimmie Akesson, the Sweden Democrats' leader, said the party has no place for "Putin's friends" and asserted it was unaware of any pro-Kremlin posts by Malaberg. The SD said it is investigating the allegations and noted that Malaberg passed a security check when hired.
Magdalena Andersson, leader of the Social Democrats, warned voters against allowing the Sweden Democrats to control key ministries. During a Thursday debate, Andersson said, "On Monday we could wake to a government where the keys to the defence ministry will be handed over to the Sweden Democrats, and that is a party that has been revealed to be infiltrated by friends of Putin."
Ulf Kristersson, leader of the centre-right Moderates, told the Aftonbladet newspaper that Malaberg should be fired if the allegations are true. "We are in a European war," he said. "You can't have people who sit around promoting pro-Russian narratives and work in the Swedish parliament."
For much of the past three years, the Social Democrats appeared likely to win. Their support rose to about 35 percent in polls after they hardened their stance on migration, following their loss in 2022 to a right-wing coalition led by the Moderates and supported by the Sweden Democrats.
But public concern has shifted. Gang shootings and violent crime, central to right-wing campaigns four years ago, have fallen sharply. Voters now prioritize health care, education and the economy—areas where the Social Democrats hold an advantage in polling.
Still, the Social Democrats' lead has narrowed dramatically. Their support now stands around 28 percent, risking their worst-ever election result and equaling their 2018 performance of 28.3 percent. Their hard line on immigration has driven some progressive voters to smaller left-wing parties.
The centre-left bloc's chances have dimmed further with a surge for the centre-right Liberals. The party, currently in government, was expected to fall below the 4 percent threshold needed to enter parliament but now appears likely to clear it. If the Liberals secure seats, the right-wing bloc could remain in power.
A new government would likely be more radical than the current minority administration, which is led by the Moderates and relies on a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Sweden Democrats. While the Sweden Democrats currently influence policy on migration, they are not formally part of the coalition. Other parties have historically shunned them over their neo-Nazi past. The SD has said it would demand formal membership and control of important ministries in any new coalition.
Akesson indicated he aims for the post of prime minister in 2030 or later, rather than in the upcoming election.
Marja Lemne, a political scientist at Sodertorn University, told Agence France-Presse that the election outcome remains "very open."
