A surge in gun violence across Sweden, with a series of armed assaults and bombings resulting in 12 deaths last month alone, has prompted the nationalist Sweden Democrats, the country’s second-largest political party, to demand military intervention to combat the violence.
Party leader Jimmie Akesson called the situation “a systemic threat” to Swedish society and emphasized the need for immediate action. He expressed concern that the shootings and bombings were just the tip of the iceberg.
Gun violence between criminal gangs has escalated in recent months, reaching shockingly high levels. Even before the September spike in violence, Sweden had a per capita gun killing rate about 10 times higher than that of the United Kingdom.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had previously promised to crack down on crime and enhance cooperation between the armed forces and the police in a televised address to the nation at the end of last month.
Now, Akesson is advocating for an even more forceful response that would permit the military to use force to address the crisis. His party has been influential in pushing for repressive measures, and they have gained traction after supporting a center-right coalition government led by Kristersson following the last year’s general election.
While various political parties have called for tougher sentences and increased police presence, the Sweden Democrats are seeking to differentiate themselves by proposing more hard-line measures.
Akesson suggests that a government led by the Sweden Democrats could grant police the authority to detain individuals who are not suspected of specific offenses and deploy the military in Sweden’s “vulnerable areas,” where gangs have proliferated in communities marked by high unemployment and migrant backgrounds.
He believes that thousands of individuals with advanced weapons training and tactical expertise could be deployed effectively to merely show a presence in these areas.
Although the proposal is contentious in a country where the law only permits military intervention in the event of a terrorist attack, it is gaining support. The government recently announced it would explore expanding the military’s role to include addressing organized crime.
The Sweden Democrats’ focus on law and order has contributed to their increasing popularity in parliamentary elections. Akesson sees himself as a potential leader in Swedish politics if the outcome of the next election in 2026 mirrors last year’s results.
He stated, “All the arguments against having us in government are falling one by one. After the next election, there will be no arguments left.”
