Sweden’s far-right leader eyes PM job in 2030

In April, the prime minister said he was willing to include the Sweden Democrats in a future government and would give the party influential Cabinet posts.(AFP) — The head of Sweden’s anti-immigration Sweden Democrats is eyeing the post of prime minister in 2030, he told AFP on Wednesday, less than a month before a general election that the right-wing bloc is expected to lose.Swedes go to the polls Sept. 13.The three right-wing parties in government, along with the Sweden Democrats, which support the government in parliament, have 43.9% support in a Verian poll published Tuesday by broadcaster SVT.The left-wing opposition has 53.9% support.Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s coalition — made up of his Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals — came to power in 2022 after agreeing to an unprecedented and wide-ranging collaboration with the Sweden Democrats in exchange for their support.The Sweden Democrats, led by Jimmie Akesson, overtook Kristersson’s Moderate Party to become the second-largest party, with 20.5% of the vote, behind the Social Democrats.Asked by AFP about his ambitions for the post of prime minister, Akesson replied: “There will be more elections to come, so I’d like to aim for the post of prime minister in 2030 or later.”“We are in agreement with the Moderates that Ulf Kristersson is the right-wing bloc’s candidate for prime minister” if it wins the Sept. 13 election, he said.“In return, we are to have significant influence in such a government and hold ministerial posts with substantial responsibility,” he said.In April, Kristersson said he was willing to include the Sweden Democrats in a future government and would give the party influential Cabinet posts, such as immigration and integration.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads