STOCKHOLM — Sweden's general election on Sept. 13 has been shaken by allegations that a prominent Sweden Democrats official maintained ties to Russian intelligence operations.
The investigative publication Expo reported on Sept. 3 that Polina Malaberg, a Russian-born naturalized Swede who serves as a longtime aide to the party and sits on the Riksdag's Constitutional Committee, accompanied a party member of Parliament on a 2017 trip to Moscow that was reportedly funded by the Russian government.
Expo also alleged that Malaberg promoted pro-Kremlin narratives over a decade, developed ties with Russian government-backed groups in Sweden and escorted Russian individuals into the Swedish parliament building.
Malaberg declined to comment on the allegations. The Sweden Democrats said Malaberg passed a security check when hired and is under investigation.
The allegations come as Sweden's security environment has shifted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Sweden joined NATO last year and maintains broad consensus on supporting Ukraine and opposing Russia.
The timing presents a challenge for the Sweden Democrats, the anti-immigrant party that entered parliament in 2018 and now holds influence over the current minority government led by the Moderates. The party has indicated it would seek formal coalition membership and control of key ministries if the right-wing bloc retains power after the election.
The Social Democrats, Sweden's largest party, have gained ground in recent weeks following the allegations. Polls show them at approximately 28 percent support, though that represents a decline from 35 percent earlier in the year. The party lost power in 2022 to the right-wing coalition that includes the Sweden Democrats.
Several factors have shifted the electoral landscape. Public concern has moved away from gang violence and crime toward health care, education and the economy—areas where the Social Democrats poll better. The party's harder stance on migration has cost them support among progressive voters who have moved to smaller left-wing parties.
The centre-right Liberals, currently in government, had been projected to fall below the 4 percent parliamentary threshold but may now retain their seats. Should they remain in parliament, their support could help keep the right-wing bloc in power, potentially giving the Sweden Democrats greater influence over the next government.
