Editing Sweden Democrats (section)

== History ==
=== Early years (1988–1995) ===
[[File:Sdsticker.jpg|thumb|Early sticker used by the Sweden Democrats with the slogan {{lang|sv|Bevara Sverige Svenskt}} ("Keep Sweden Swedish")]]
The Sweden Democrats party was founded in 1988 as a direct successor to the [[Sweden Party]],<ref name="Rydgren"/> which in turn had been formed in 1986 by the merger of {{lang|sv|[[Bevara Sverige Svenskt]]}} (BSS; in English: "Keep Sweden Swedish") and a faction of the [[Progress Party (Sweden)|Swedish Progress Party]]. The SD continued to use Keep Sweden Swedish as its slogan until the late 1990s.<ref name="r1089">Rydgren, 2006, pp. 108–109.</ref> The SD claims 6 February 1988 as the date of its foundation and that the party was formally registered after a meeting in Stockholm designed to bring together various nationalist movements who issued a [[white paper]] for a new party, although observers tend to see the party's foundation as part of a complex decade-long series of events, with some even calling into question whether a meeting took place.<ref>Anders Widfeldt (2014). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=tm1eBAAAQBAJ&dq=6%20February%201988%20sverigedemokraterna&pg=PT245 Extreme Right in Scandinavia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416003606/https://books.google.com/books?id=tm1eBAAAQBAJ&dq=6%20February%201988%20sverigedemokraterna&pg=PT245 |date=16 April 2023 }}''. Routledge, p.245.</ref>

Initially, the party did not have a single centralized leader and was instead fronted by two alternating spokespeople before [[Anders Klarström]] became the party's sole official chairman and head of the Sweden Democrats' national board in 1989.<ref name="ekstrom"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ordfrontmagasin.se/fascistledarnas-bekannelser/ |title=Fascistledarnas bekännelser – Ordfront Magasin |website=ordfrontmagasin.se |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926112130/https://ordfrontmagasin.se/fascistledarnas-bekannelser/ |archive-date=26 September 2020}}</ref>

According to the anti-racism publication ''[[Expo (magazine)|Expo]]'' and the political historian Duncan McDonnell, it is generally agreed that the Sweden Democrats have never been a [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] or a fascist political party,<ref name="Expo_SD_Historia"/> although some of the SD's founders and early members had previously belonged to both Swedish and foreign neo-fascist and white nationalist groups and the party had a reputation in the late 1980s and early 1990s for attracting [[skinhead]] gangs to its public events.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-13/sweden-democratic-party-has-far-right-roots-but-has-it-changed/10238482|title=Has Sweden's old 'Nazi' party really changed?|date=12 September 2018|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref><ref name="kvallsposten"/> Studies by ''Expo'' documented that around nine of the original 30 people who founded the SD had associations to known Nordic fascist organisations such as the [[New Swedish Movement]] and the [[Nazism in Sweden|neo-Nazi]] [[Nordic Realm Party]] ({{lang|sv|Nordiska rikspartiet}}, {{Abbr.}}''NRP'') and estimated that around sixty percent of party's national board members between 1989 and 1995 were connected to neo-Nazi movements in various ways both before and during their time in the party.<ref name="Expo_SD_Historia"/>  However, the study also concluded that a majority of these members were no longer active within the party by the mid-to-late-1990s.<ref>{{cite book|first=Stieg|last=Larsson|pages=108|publisher=EXPO|title=Sverigedemokraterna Den nationella rörelsen|year=2001}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name="Mattsson">{{cite book|date=2009|first=Pontus|isbn=978-91-27-11768-6|last=Mattsson|location=Stockholm|publisher=Natur & Kultur|title=Sverigedemokraterna in på bara skinnet}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> The party's first auditor, [[Gustaf Ekström]], was a ''[[Waffen-SS]]'' veteran and had been a member of the national socialist party ''[[National Socialist Workers' Party (Sweden)|Svensk Socialistisk Samling]]'' in the{{nbsp}}1940s.<ref name="edoc.hu-berlin.de" /> The SD's first chairman Anders Klarström and deputy board members and party co-founders Fritz Håkansson and {{ill|lt=Sven Davidson|Sven Davidson (politician)|sv|Sven Davidson (politiker)}} had all been active in the Nordic Realm Party.<ref name="Schön">[[Bosse Schön]], ''[https://www.etc.se/inrikes/nazisterna-som-skapade-sverigedemokraterna Nazisterna som skapade Sverigedemokraterna] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418135215/https://www.etc.se/inrikes/nazisterna-som-skapade-sverigedemokraterna|date=18 April 2024}}'', Tidningen ETC 4 February 2014.</ref> Klarström later elaborated he had briefly been part of the NRP as a teenager before distancing himself from it by the time he became SD leader.{{refn|<ref name="edoc.hu-berlin.de">{{Cite journal |first=Anders |last=Widfeldt |title=A fourth phase of the extreme right? Nordic immigration-critical parties in a comparative context |website=Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |year=2010 |number=1/2 |pages=7–31 |doi=10.18452/8037 |url=https://edoc.hu-berlin.de/handle/18452/8689 |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319015552/https://edoc.hu-berlin.de/handle/18452/8689 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/2728776|title=Det dubbla ansiktet – Sverigedemokraterna granskas|publisher=[[Sveriges Radio]]|year=2009|language=sv|access-date=19 March 2024|archive-date=19 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319015551/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/2728776|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.expressen.se/kvallsposten/har-bildar-nazisterna-partiet-sd--i-malmo/|title=Här bildar nazisterna partiet SD – i Malmö {{!}} Kvällsposten|access-date=26 November 2018|language=sv-SE|archive-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231121708/https://www.expressen.se/kvallsposten/har-bildar-nazisterna-partiet-sd--i-malmo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="svd.se">{{Cite news|url=https://www.svd.se/nazist-arbetade-for-ss--var-med-och-grundade-sd|title=Nazist arbetade för SS – var med och grundade SD|first=Erica|last=Treijs|newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet|date=30 April 2017|via=www.svd.se|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508110933/https://www.svd.se/nazist-arbetade-for-ss--var-med-och-grundade-sd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Utan ånger: Gustaf Ekström – SS-veteranen som grundade Sverigedemokraterna. Johan Ulvenlöv, Matti Palm, Anders Larsson, 2017</ref><ref name="aftonbladet.se">{{cite web|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/zpmVK|title=Nazisten som grundade SD|website=Aftonbladet|date=5 June 2017|access-date=12 March 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129221801/https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/zpmVK|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="r1089"/><ref name="kvallsposten"/><ref name="ekstrom"/><ref name="telegraphboots"/><ref name="Telegraph2"/><ref name="Rydgren"/>}} The first version of the SD's old youth-wing, the ''[[Sweden Democratic Youth]]'' was accused of having dual leadership with neo-Nazi youth movements until 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=https://expo.se/lar-dig-mer/wiki/sverigedemokraterna-sd/ |title=Sverigedemokraterna (SD) |access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sdungdom.se/historik.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513001628/http://www.sdungdom.se/historik.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-05-13 |title=Historik |access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref> while the SD's logo from the 1990s until 2006 was a version of the torch used by the British [[National Front (UK)|National Front]].{{refn|<ref name="r1089"/><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://sverigedemokraterna.se/vart-parti/blasippan-sverigedemokraternas-partisymbol/|title=Blåsippan – Sverigedemokraternas partisymbol|publisher=Sverigedemokraterna|language=sv|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923075630/http://sverigedemokraterna.se/vart-parti/blasippan-sverigedemokraternas-partisymbol/|archive-date=23 September 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=7 October 2010|place=SE}}</ref><ref name="Expo_SD_Historia">{{cite news|url=http://expo.se/2011/sa-ljuger-sd-om-sin-historia_3612.html|title=Så ljuger SD om sin historia|work=[[Expo (magazine)|Expo]]|first=Daniel|last=Poohl|access-date=24 January 2011|language=sv|archive-date=17 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117062501/http://expo.se/2011/sa-ljuger-sd-om-sin-historia_3612.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skma.se/nov06/sverigedemokrater.pdf|title=Sverigedemokraterna inga arvtagare till nationalsocialisterna|work=[[Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism]]|first=Heléne|last=Lööw|access-date=24 January 2011|language=sv|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212014122/http://www.skma.se/nov06/sverigedemokrater.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} The SD also encountered controversy for some of its early policy ideas before 1999, which included a proposal to repatriate most immigrants who came to Sweden from 1970, banning adoption of foreign born children and reinstating the death penalty.<ref name="auto6">{{cite web|url=https://ordfrontmagasin.se/fascistledarnas-bekannelser/|title=Fascistledarnas bekännelser|date=9 January 2019|access-date=27 February 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420143112/https://ordfrontmagasin.se/fascistledarnas-bekannelser/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The party promoted concerts by the Swedish offshoot of [[Rock Against Communism]] and sponsored music of the nationalist [[Viking rock]] band [[Ultima Thule (Swedish band)|Ultima Thule]]. Various party officials today acknowledge that being fans of Ultima Thule's music factored prominently in their decision to become politically engaged.<ref name="Teitelbaum 2013"/> Early on, the party recommended international connections to its members such as the [[National Democratic Party of Germany]], the American [[National Association for the Advancement of White People]] (founded by [[David Duke]]) and publications like the Nazi ''[[Nation Europa]]'' and ''[[Nouvelle École]]'', a newspaper that advocates [[scientific racism|racial biology]] and the British neo-Nazi [[Combat 18]] movement.<ref name="vitbok">{{Citation |title=Sverigedemokraternas vitbok 1988–2014 |year=2014 |url=http://expo.se/www/download/sds_vitbok_Expo_2_2014.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912071628/http://expo.se/www/download/sds_vitbok_Expo_2_2014.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[Expo (magazine)|Expo]] |language=sv}}</ref><ref name="SDBulle 11-89">{{cite news |title=Adresser till ledande utländska nationella partier och tidningar |journal=SD-Bulletinen |year=1989 |page=3 |url=http://www.sdarkivet.se/publikationer/sd-bulletinen/SD-Bulletinen_1989_11.pdf |language=sv |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020122149/http://www.sdarkivet.se/publikationer/sd-bulletinen/SD-Bulletinen_1989_11.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Murray">{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Douglas |author1-link=Douglas Murray (author) |title=How the Sweden Democrats came in from the cold |url=https://unherd.com/2020/02/how-the-sweden-democrats-came-in-from-the-cold/ |access-date=29 July 2023 |work=[[UnHerd]] |date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001012245/https://unherd.com/2020/02/how-the-sweden-democrats-came-in-from-the-cold/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The SD won municipal representation for the first time during the [[1991 Swedish local elections]] in [[Dals-Ed Municipality]] and [[Höör]].<ref name="SD10">{{cite book|date=1998|id=[[LIBRIS]]:&nbsp;[http://libris.kb.se/bib/2434119 2434119]|location=[[Stockholm]]|publisher=Sverigedemokraterna|title=Sverigedemokraterna 10 år!!! : 1988–1998}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

=== Moderation and growth (1995–2010) ===
[[File:Jimmie Åkesson inför partiledardebatt i SVT.jpg|thumb|[[Jimmie Åkesson]], interviewed before an SVT party-leader debate in 2014]]
In 1995, Klarström was replaced as SD chairman by [[Mikael Jansson (politician)|Mikael Jansson]], a former member of the [[Centre Party (Sweden)|Centre Party]]. Jansson strove to make the party more respectable and took a more direct stance against displays of extremism within its ranks. In 1995, the SD closed down its youth-wing and after skinheads started to impose on SD meetings, consuming alcohol at party events, displaying fascist imagery and the wearing of any kind of political uniform were formally banned in 1996. Also in 1996, it was revealed that a party spokeswoman [[Tina Hallgren]], had been to a party meeting of [[National Socialist Front]] posing in a Nazi uniform. Opposition to the party have mistakenly mixed these two events together and falsely claim that she was wearing the uniform at a rally of the Sweden Democrats and that it was because of this that the uniform ban came about.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/09/12/magasinet/politikk/utenriks/sverige/sverigedemokraterna/13277818/ |title=Gikk med naziuniform, hakekors og brunskjorte |newspaper=Dagbladet |first=Astrid |last=Meland |date=12 September 2010 |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017000901/http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/09/12/magasinet/politikk/utenriks/sverige/sverigedemokraterna/13277818/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=r108>Rydgren, 2006, p. 108.</ref><ref name=nrk /> During the early 1990s, the SD sought to become a more conventional party and became more influenced by the French [[National Rally]], as well as the [[Freedom Party of Austria]], the [[Danish People's Party]], German [[The Republicans (Germany)|The Republicans]] and Italian [[National Alliance (Italy)|National Alliance]].<ref name=r109 /> SD{{nbsp}}received economic support for the [[1998 Swedish general election|1998 election]] from the then called French National Front, and became active in [[Jean-Marie Le Pen]]'s [[Euronat]] from the same time.<ref name=nrk /><ref name=expo>{{Citation |url=http://www.expo.se/2010/sverigedemokraterna---fran-gatan-till-parlamentet_3279.html |title=Sverigedemokraterna – från gatan till parlamentet |publisher=Expo Idag |date=25 August 2010}}</ref> By the end of the decade, the party took further steps to moderate itself by distancing itself from all forms of fascist ideology, softening its policies on immigration and capital punishment and removing party figures deemed to be too radical or guilty of inappropriate behaviour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fondapol.org/en/study/sweden-democrats-an-anti-immigration/ |title=“Sweden Democrats" : an anti-immigration vote |access-date=2025-02-28}}</ref> In 1999, the SD left Euronat although the youth wing remained affiliated until 2002.<ref name=expo /> In 2001, the most extreme faction was expelled from the party, leading to the formation of the more radical [[National Democrats (Sweden)|National Democrats]] which in turn resulted in many of the SD's remaining hardline members leaving for the new party.<ref name=r109>Rydgren, 2006, p. 109.</ref>

During the early 2000s, the so-called "Scania gang", also known as the "Gang of Four" or "Fantastic Four", which consisted of the youth wing chairman [[Jimmie Åkesson]], as well as [[Björn Söder]], [[Mattias Karlsson (politician)|Mattias Karlsson]] and [[Richard Jomshof]] continued and expanded the moderation policy, which included ousting openly extremist members, banning neo-Nazi activists from attending party events or obtaining membership, and further revising the SD's policy platform.<ref name=nrk>{{cite news|url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7304305|title=Fra kjelleren til Riksdagen|work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]]|first=Laila Ø.|last=Bakken|date=25 September 2010|access-date=13 November 2010|archive-date=29 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929184605/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7304305|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Murray"/> Before the 2002 election, former [[Member of Parliament (Sweden)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[Moderate Party]], [[Sten Christer Andersson|Sten Andersson]] defected to SD, citing that the party had gotten rid of its extreme-right elements.<ref name=expo /> In 2003, the party declared the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] to be a cornerstone of its policies.<ref>Rydgren, 2006, p. 116.</ref> In 2005, Åkesson defeated Jansson in a leadership contest. Shortly after, the party changed its logo from the flaming torch to one featuring an ''[[Anemone hepatica]]'', reminiscent of the party's very first, but short-lived, logo (a stylised ''[[Myosotis scorpioides]]'').<ref name=sdhis>{{cite web|url=http://sverigedemokraterna.se/vart-parti/partiets-historik-i-kronologisk-ordning/ |work=Sweden Democrats |title=Partiets historik i kronologisk ordning |access-date=25 January 2011 |language=sv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129031803/http://sverigedemokraterna.se/vart-parti/partiets-historik-i-kronologisk-ordning/ |archive-date=29 November 2010 }}</ref>

=== Entrance into parliament and ideological realignment (2010–2014) ===

In the [[2010 Swedish general election]], SD{{nbsp}}won representation in the [[Riksdag|Swedish Riksdag]] for the first time, with{{nbsp}}5.7% of the vote and 20{{nbsp}}MPs.

In 2010, the SD leadership introduced a charter against racism on the party platform and later expanded this into a zero-tolerance policy regarding political extremism and law breaking. After some of the SD's elected members caused controversies during the party's first term in the Riksdag, the SD also stated it would introduce a vetting procedure for its future parliamentary candidates and issued updated guidelines on conduct and communication for party members.<ref name="SD launches an internal glossbook">{{cite news |url=https://www.svd.se/a/43e049ec-539d-38c4-8e86-448ef8e9b8c2/sd-lanserar-en-intern-glosbok |title=SD launches an internal glossbook |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |date=25 October 2012 |access-date=30 January 2024 |last1=Stiernstedt |first1=Jenny |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130223134/https://www.svd.se/a/43e049ec-539d-38c4-8e86-448ef8e9b8c2/sd-lanserar-en-intern-glosbok |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2012/12/17/sweden-democrats-racism-scandal-hellstrom/ |title=The Sweden Democrats racism scandal will not be a fatal blow to the party's appeal to the Swedish electorate. |work=EUROPP |date=17 December 2013 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620192250/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2012/12/17/sweden-democrats-racism-scandal-hellstrom/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10823028/EU-elections-2014-I-can-hear-the-boots-of-the-1930s-marching-through-Europe.html |title=EU elections 2014: 'I can hear the boots of the 1930s marching through Europe' |date=17 December 2013 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=8 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108224958/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10823028/EU-elections-2014-I-can-hear-the-boots-of-the-1930s-marching-through-Europe.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, the party also changed its self-description from "nationalist" to "social conservative".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-rise-of-sweden-democrats-and-the-end-of-swedish-exceptionalism/ |title=The Rise of Sweden Democrats: Islam, Populism and the End of Swedish Exceptionalism |date=25 March 2020 |access-date=20 January 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327042822/https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-rise-of-sweden-democrats-and-the-end-of-swedish-exceptionalism/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sweden Democrat MP [[William Petzäll]] was persuaded to leave the party on 26 September 2011 while still retaining his parliamentary seat.<ref name=expressen>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/avslojar/1.2572011/sd-ledamoten-william-petzall-lamnar-partiet-blir-politisk-vilde|title=SD-ledamoten William Petzäll lämnar partiet – blir politisk vilde|work=[[Expressen]]|first=David|last=Baas|date=26 September 2011|access-date=9 October 2011|language=sv|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173605/http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/avslojar/1.2572011/sd-ledamoten-william-petzall-lamnar-partiet-blir-politisk-vilde|url-status=live}}</ref> This was done because of Petzäll's [[substance abuse]] and the problems this might cause for SD's{{nbsp}}public image. Petzäll later died of an overdose and his seat was turned over to [[Stellan Bojerud]] in September 2012.

In November 2012, videos from August 2010 were released, in segments, over the course of three days by Swedish newspaper ''[[Expressen]]'' (a year earlier, ''Expressen'' had released the same videos without making much noise). This came to be known as the [[Iron pipe scandal]], although the same videos had already been released on [[YouTube]] by Erik Almqvist in 2010. The videos, recorded by MP [[Kent Ekeroth]], featured him along with fellow Sweden Democrats MP [[Erik Almqvist]] and [[Christian Westling]]. The videos show Almqvist arguing with comedian [[Soran Ismail]]: Almqvist is referring to Sweden as "my country, not your country", as an insult to Ismail. They are also shown arguing with a drunken man. A woman can also be seen approaching Kent Ekeroth while filming; he calls her a whore and pushes her out of the way. A few minutes later they are seen picking up iron bars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/44440/20121115/ |title=Swedish press: scandal shows 'true face' of Sweden Democrats |website=[[The Local]] |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118062322/http://www.thelocal.se/44440/20121115 |archive-date=18 November 2012 }}</ref> Coming only a month after party leader Åkesson had instated a zero-tolerance policy towards racism in the party,<ref name="zero-tolerance_policy" /> the release of the video caused Almqvist to leave his position as the party's economic policy spokesperson and his place in the executive committee on 14 November. He excused himself as having been under a lot of pressure and threats of violence at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/44418/20121114/ |title=Top Sweden Democrat quits after racist film |website=[[The Local]] |date=14 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117003358/http://www.thelocal.se/44418/20121114 |archive-date=17 November 2012 }}</ref> As more segments of the video were released, revealing the other two men's involvement, the party announced on 15 November that Ekeroth would take a break from his position as the party's justice policy spokesman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/44432/20121115/ |title=Ekeroth takes 'break' after new revelations |website=[[The Local]] |date=15 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118062251/http://www.thelocal.se/44432/20121115 |archive-date=18 November 2012 }}</ref> Almqvist and Ekeroth both took time off from their parliament seats. [[Sweden Democratic Youth]] president [[Gustav Kasselstrand]] and vice president [[William Hahne]] criticised the decision to remove Almqvist and Ekeroth in an [[op-ed]] in ''[[Dagens Nyheter]]'', arguing that the party should not give in to media pressure.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/sdu-fel-peta-almqvist_7671922.svd|title=SDU: Fel peta Alqvist|newspaper=[[Svenska Dagbladet]]|date=15 November 2012|access-date=19 November 2012|language=sv|archive-date=18 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118040052/http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/sdu-fel-peta-almqvist_7671922.svd|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:SD-sympatisörer inför EU-valet 2014.jpg|thumb|Sweden Democrat supporters in Stockholm during the 2014 European elections]]

Only two weeks after Almqvist and Ekeroth were forced to step down, fellow MP [[Lars Isovaara]] reported being robbed of his backpack and pushed out of his wheelchair by "two unknown men of an immigrant background". When trying to get into the Riksdag, Isovaara was himself reported by the police for racial abuse against safety guards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/44724/20121128/ |title=Oinking Sweden Democrat spat at guard |website=[[The Local]] |date=28 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130222936/http://www.thelocal.se/44724/20121128/ |archive-date=30 November 2012 }}</ref> The Sweden Democrats initially defended Isovaara, but backed down when ''Expressen'' revealed that Isovaara had actually forgotten his backpack at a restaurant, and that the two men had helped him when he fell out of his wheelchair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/44726/20121129/ |title=Found bag puts Sweden Democrat MP in doubt |website=[[The Local]] |date=29 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202170753/http://www.thelocal.se/44726/20121129 |archive-date=2 December 2012 }}</ref> He left his seat in the Riksdag on 29 November, and was replaced by [[Markus Wiechel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/isovaaras-ersattare-tidigare-domd-for-fortal/|title=Isovaaras ersättare tidigare dömd för förtal|newspaper=[[Expressen]]|first=Oscar|last=Julander|date=29 November 2012|language=sv|access-date=29 November 2012|archive-date=1 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201074520/http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/isovaaras-ersattare-tidigare-domd-for-fortal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Rise in national support (2014–2018) ===
In the [[2014 European Parliament election in Sweden|European election of 2014]], SD received 9.67% of votes, winning two seats in the European Parliament and becoming the fifth largest party in the country. The party later joined the [[Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe]] and the [[Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy]] group.

In the [[2014 Swedish general election|2014 election]], the Sweden Democrats received 12.9%{{nbsp}}of the votes, doubling their support and becoming the third-largest party. The party remained big in [[Scania]] and [[Blekinge]]; for example in [[Malmö]] the party received 14% of the votes, in [[Landskrona]] it received 19% of the votes and in [[Sjöbo]] a total of 30% rendering the party the largest in that municipality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.val.se/val/val2014/slutresultat/R/kommun/12/65/index.html|title=Valresultat Riksdag Sjöbo kommun 2014|publisher=Valmyndigheten|language=sv|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-date=28 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728013821/http://www.val.se/val/val2014/slutresultat/R/kommun/12/65/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other parties, however, remained firm in their decision to isolate them from exerting influence. Out of 29 constituencies electing parliamentarians, the party was the second largest in "Scania North & East" while being the third largest party in 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.val.se/val/val2014/slutresultat/R/rike/index.html|title=Valresultat Rike Riksdag 2014|publisher=Valmyndigheten|language=sv|access-date=28 July 2017|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215015643/http://www.val.se/val/val2014/slutresultat/R/rike/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Although relying heavily on rural areas and the deep south, the party also made strong inroads and results above 15% in some medium-sized central Sweden cities such as [[Norrköping]], [[Eskilstuna]] and [[Gävle]], indicating a widening of its voter base in all areas.

Some time after that, Åkesson announced he would go on sick leave due to [[Occupational burnout|burnout]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sverigedemokraterna.se/oppet-brev-fran-jimmie-akesson/|title=Jimmie Åkesson sjukskriven|work=Sverigedemokraterna|date=17 October 2014 |access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511171757/https://sverigedemokraterna.se/oppet-brev-fran-jimmie-akesson/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/akesson-sjukskriven-pa-obestamd-tid/|title=Åkesson sjukskriven på obestämd tid|work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]|date=17 October 2014|access-date=24 February 2015|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623182107/https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/akesson-sjukskriven-pa-obestamd-tid/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mattias Karlsson (politician)|Mattias Karlsson]] was appointed to temporarily take over Åkesson's duties as party leader.

On 23 March 2015, it was announced that Åkesson would return from his leave of absence to resume his duties as party leader following an interview to be broadcast on the Friday, 27 March instalment of the ''[[Skavlan]]'' program on [[Sveriges Television|SVT]], and a subsequent press conference with the Swedish media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://samtiden.nu/12972/jimmie-akesson-kommer-tillbaka|title=Jimmie Åkesson kommer tillbaka|work=Samtiden|access-date=20 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622151222/http://samtiden.nu/12972/jimmie-akesson-kommer-tillbaka/|archive-date=22 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1637&artikel=6123741|title=Uppgifter: Åkesson gör comeback|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=23 March 2015|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201132450/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1637&artikel=6123741|url-status=live}}</ref>

Amid media coverage regarding the high immigration figures and the [[2015 European migrant crisis|European migrant crisis]], the Sweden Democrats soared in all [[2018 Swedish general election#Opinion polls|opinion polls]] during the summer of 2015, even topping web-based polls from [[YouGov]] and Sentio in late summer, with a little over a quarter of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://yougov.se/news/2015/08/20/sd-ar-sveriges-storsta-parti/|title=SD är Sveriges största parti|language=sv|publisher=YouGov|date=20 August 2015|access-date=10 September 2015|archive-date=4 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004153557/https://yougov.se/news/2015/08/20/sd-ar-sveriges-storsta-parti/|url-status=live}}</ref> The party also saw rising support in phone-based polls, although the swing was lower.

=== Entering mainstream politics (2018–2022) ===
[[File:Sverigedemokraterna - Ystad-2018.jpg|thumb|SD rally in [[Ystad]] in August 2018 ahead of the 2018 Swedish general election]]
In early 2018, the [[Far-right politics|far-right]]<ref>{{cite web |date=9 April 2018 |title=TV4-profilen Lennart Matikainen kandiderar för Alternativ för Sverige |url=https://nyheter24.se/noje/906234-tv4-profilen-lennart-matikainen-kandiderar-for-alternativ-for-sverige |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=nyheter24.se |language=sv}}</ref> [[Alternative for Sweden]] was founded by members of the [[Sweden Democratic Youth]], who were collectively expelled from the Sweden Democrats in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.altinget.se/rikspolitik/artikel/kasselstrand-vill-in-i-riksdagen|title=Kasselstrand vill in i riksdagen|date=18 December 2017|access-date=29 March 2018|language=sv|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172804/https://www.altinget.se/rikspolitik/artikel/kasselstrand-vill-in-i-riksdagen|url-status=live}}</ref> Three Sweden Democrat members of the [[Riksdag]], [[Olle Felten]], [[Jeff Ahl]] and former leader [[Mikael Jansson (politician)|Mikael Jansson]] subsequently defected to the party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/riksdagsledamot-lamnar-sd-blir-politisk-vilde/|newspaper=[[Dagens Nyheter]]|title=Riksdagsledamot lämnar SD – blir politisk vilde|language=sv|access-date=27 March 2018|date=27 March 2018|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109005222/https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/riksdagsledamot-lamnar-sd-blir-politisk-vilde/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 July 2018, the two Sweden Democrats MEPs left the [[Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy|EFDD group]] and moved to the [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group]].

In the [[2018 Swedish general election]], the SD increased its support to 17.5% of the vote,<ref>{{cite web | last1=Karnitschnig | first1=Matthew | title=Why Sweden's election was all about the rise of the far right | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-election-2018-results-migration-far-right-neurotica/ | date=10 September 2018 | publisher=[[Politico]] | access-date=11 September 2018 | archive-date=6 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206090246/https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-election-2018-results-migration-far-right-neurotica/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Henley | first1=Jon | title=Sweden Election: Far Right Makes Gains as Main Blocs Deadlocked | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/09/swedish-election-far-right-on-course-for-sizeable-gains-in-vote | date=10 September 2018 | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | access-date=10 September 2018 | archive-date=18 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118201124/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/09/swedish-election-far-right-on-course-for-sizeable-gains-in-vote | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Pancevski | first1=Bojan | title=Sweden Moves to the Right in an Election Shaped by Immigration | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sweden-vote-leaves-no-clear-majority-polls-show-1536521388 | date=9 September 2018 | newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | access-date=10 September 2018 | archive-date=9 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031144/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sweden-vote-leaves-no-clear-majority-polls-show-1536521388 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Chamberlain | first1=Samuel | title=Sweden election sees gains for far-right, anti-immigrant party | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/sweden-election-sees-gains-for-far-right-anti-immigrant-party | date=9 September 2018 | publisher=[[Fox News]] | access-date=10 September 2018 | archive-date=30 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930202018/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/09/09/sweden-election-sees-gains-for-far-right-anti-immigrant-party.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Duxbury2018">{{cite web | last1=Duxbury | first1=Charlie | title=Sweden braces for political uncertainty as far right makes gains | url=https://www.politico.eu/article/swedens-two-main-blocs-neck-and-neck-in-election-exit-poll/ | date=9 September 2018 | publisher=[[Politico]] | access-date=10 September 2018 | archive-date=26 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026213417/https://www.politico.eu/article/swedens-two-main-blocs-neck-and-neck-in-election-exit-poll/ | url-status=live }}</ref> though it did not grow as much as most polls had predicted.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Crisp | first1=James | title=Analysis: Brussels Dodges Populist Bullet as Sweden Democrats Fall Short | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/09/10/analysis-brussels-dodges-populist-bullet-sweden-democrats-fall/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/09/10/analysis-brussels-dodges-populist-bullet-sweden-democrats-fall/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date=10 September 2018 | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | access-date=10 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=The anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats fail to achieve an electoral breakthrough | url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/09/10/the-anti-immigrant-sweden-democrats-fail-to-achieve-an-electoral-breakthrough | date=10 September 2018 | newspaper=[[The Economist]] | access-date=11 September 2018 | archive-date=24 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124015138/https://www.economist.com/europe/2018/09/10/the-anti-immigrant-sweden-democrats-fail-to-achieve-an-electoral-breakthrough | url-status=live }}</ref> According to Emily Schultheis of ''[[Foreign Policy]]'', the SD won an ideological victory, as it "effectively set the terms for debate" and forced its rivals to adopt immigration policies similar to its own,<ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Schultheis | first1=Emily | title=Sweden's Far Right Has Won the War of Ideas | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/10/swedens-nazi-offspring-won-the-war-of-ideas/ | date=10 September 2018 | magazine=[[Foreign Policy]] | access-date=11 September 2018 | archive-date=25 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225172744/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/10/swedens-nazi-offspring-won-the-war-of-ideas/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and other reporters made similar observations.<ref>{{cite news | title=Europe's populists are waltzing into the mainstream | url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2018/02/03/europes-populists-are-waltzing-into-the-mainstream | date=3 February 2018 | newspaper=[[The Economist]] | access-date=12 September 2018 | archive-date=9 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032535/https://www.economist.com/briefing/2018/02/03/europes-populists-are-waltzing-into-the-mainstream | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | last1=Teitelbaum | first1=Benjamin R. | title=In Sweden, Populist Nationalists Won on Policy, but Lost on Politics | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/in-sweden-populist-nationalists-won-on-policy-but-lost-on-politics/569968/ | date=12 September 2018 | magazine=[[The Atlantic]] | access-date=12 September 2018 | archive-date=24 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124100233/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/09/in-sweden-populist-nationalists-won-on-policy-but-lost-on-politics/569968/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The SD performed particularly well in [[Skåne County]], having the highest number of voters in 21 out of the county's 33 municipalities.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Orange | first1=Richard | title=Sweden Democrats biggest in two-thirds of Skåne districts | url=https://www.thelocal.se/20180911/sweden-democrats-biggest-in-two-thirds-of-skne-districts | date=11 September 2018 | website=[[The Local]] | access-date=11 September 2018 | archive-date=10 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910155145/https://www.thelocal.se/20180911/sweden-democrats-biggest-in-two-thirds-of-skne-districts | url-status=live }}</ref> An SVT analysis of the results found that at least 22 seats in 17 city councils would be empty as the Sweden Democrats won more seats than the number of candidates it had.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sweden Democrats Won More Local Seats than Able to Fill | url=https://euobserver.com/tickers/142915 | date=21 September 2018 | publisher=[[EUobserver]] | access-date=22 September 2018 | archive-date=13 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413182755/https://euobserver.com/tickers/142915 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Öbrink | first1=Andreas | title=Efter SD:s framgång – tomma stolar i fullmäktige runt om i landet | newspaper=SVT Nyheter | url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/efter-sd-s-framgang-tomma-stolar-i-fullmaktige-runtom-i-landet | date=20 September 2018 | publisher=[[Sveriges Television]] | access-date=23 September 2018 | language=sv | archive-date=6 August 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806081559/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/efter-sd-s-framgang-tomma-stolar-i-fullmaktige-runtom-i-landet | url-status=live }}</ref> The party also received its first mayor, in [[Hörby Municipality]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Sweden Democrats take power in municipal council | url=https://www.thelocal.se/20181004/sweden-democrats-take-power-in-municipal-council | date=4 October 2018 | website=[[The Local]] | access-date=6 October 2018 | archive-date=9 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043048/https://www.thelocal.se/20181004/sweden-democrats-take-power-in-municipal-council | url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the election, [[Christian Democrats (Sweden)|Christian Democratic]] leader [[Ebba Busch]] announced that her party was willing to enter negotiations with the Sweden Democrats in the Riksdag.<ref name="Hamidi-Nia"/> In December 2019, [[Moderate Party]] leader [[Ulf Kristersson]] held an official meeting with the Sweden Democrat leadership for the first time, despite having previously ruled out negotiating with the party. This led to speculation that the SD could be included in a new centre-right grouping to replace the [[Alliance (Sweden)|Alliance]] which had collapsed after the [[Centre Party (Sweden)|Centre Party]] and the [[Liberals (Sweden)|Liberal Party]] left to support the Social Democratic led government.<ref name="auto5">{{cite web | title=Mainstream Swedish party open to working with once-spurned nationalists | url=https://www.ft.com/content/1e692a28-1764-11ea-9ee4-11f260415385 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/1e692a28-1764-11ea-9ee4-11f260415385 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date= 5 December 2019 | publisher=FT.com | access-date= 17 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite news | title=Is Sweden seeing a new political bloc after Moderates and Sweden Democrats meet? | newspaper=Sveriges Radio | url=https://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=7361092 | date=5 December 2019 | publisher=sverigesradio.se | access-date=17 March 2020 | last1=Foster | first1=Keith | archive-date=18 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018055805/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7361092 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2018, the Sweden Democrats went into a governing coalitions with the [[Moderate Party]] and the Christian Democrats for the first time in [[Staffanstorp Municipality]], [[Sölvesborg Municipality]], [[Herrljunga Municipality]] and [[Bromölla Municipality]].<ref name="auto9">{{cite web|url=https://www.meforum.org/islamist-watch/57337/swedish-moderate-led-council-to-ban-halal-meat-in|title=Swedish Moderate-led council to ban halal meat in deal with populists|first=Richard|last=Orange|website=Islamist Watch|date=15 November 2018|access-date=26 February 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722071425/https://www.meforum.org/islamist-watch/57337/swedish-moderate-led-council-to-ban-halal-meat-in|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thelocal.se/20181022/centre-right-seized-back-control-in-skne| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181022201447/https://www.thelocal.se/20181022/centre-right-seized-back-control-in-skne| archive-date = 22 October 2018| title = Centre-right Alliance takes power in Skåne – The Local}}</ref> In Bromölla, coalition felt apart in 2020, while new coalitions with the SD emerged in [[Svalöv Municipality]] (2019), [[Bjuv Municipality]] (2020) and [[Surahammar Municipality]] (2021).

In 2020, [[Mattias Karlsson (politician)|Mattias Karlsson]], the former group leader of the Sweden Democrats in the Riksdag founded [[Oikos (Swedish think-tank)|Oikos]], a conservative think-tank which has been alleged to be an "extension of the Sweden Democrats' political project", supposedly also receiving funding from the party.<ref name="Poohl">{{cite web|last=Poohl|first=Daniel|title=SD:s nya tankesmedja är inte oberoende|url=https://expo.se/2020/02/sds-nya-tankesmedja-%C3%A4r-inte-oberoende|access-date=5 November 2021|website=Expo.se|language=sv|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105064819/https://expo.se/2020/02/sds-nya-tankesmedja-%C3%A4r-inte-oberoende|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, the SD was invited to participate in alternative budget agreement talks with the Christian Democrats and the Moderates for the first time. That same year the SD also issued a [[Motion of no confidence|vote of no confidence]] against the [[Löfven II cabinet]] citing the government's handling on immigration, the economy and housing which was carried by the other opposition parties and led to Löfven's impeachment. The SD had previously issued a vote of no confidence in the government in 2015, albeit without success.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/klart-efter-misstroendeomrostningen-regeringen-faller |title=The government is brought down after a vote of no confidence |newspaper=Sveriges Radio |date=21 June 2021 |access-date=30 January 2024 |last1=Runblom |first1=Karin |last2=Olsson |first2=Lova }}</ref>

===2022 general election (since 2022)===
Ahead of the [[2022 Swedish general election]], the SD attempted to form a conservative grouping with the [[Moderate Party|Moderates]], Christian Democrats and the [[Liberals (Sweden)|Liberals]] and requested ministerial posts in government should the right-wing bloc form a parliamentary majority.<ref>{{cite web | title=Swedish election: far right makes gains but overall result on knife-edge | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/11/swedish-election-exit-polls-far-right | date=11 September 2022 | website=[[The Guardian]] | access-date=12 September 2022 | archive-date=11 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911204719/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/11/swedish-election-exit-polls-far-right | url-status=live }}</ref> During the election, the SD campaigned to reduce asylum migration close to zero, stricter policies on work permits, lower energy bills and a tougher stance on gang violence with longer prison sentences.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 August 2022 |title=Sweden Democrats launch plan to bring asylum migration 'close to zero' |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20220831/sweden-democrats-launch-plan-to-bring-asylum-migration-close-to-zero/ |access-date=31 August 2022 |website=The Local Sweden |language=en-US |archive-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831200841/https://www.thelocal.se/20220831/sweden-democrats-launch-plan-to-bring-asylum-migration-close-to-zero/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Szumski |first=Charles |date=23 August 2022 |title=Far-right eurosceptic party surge in polls ahead of Swedish elections |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/far-right-eurosceptic-party-surge-in-polls-ahead-of-swedish-elections/ |access-date=31 August 2022 |website=Euractiv |language=en-GB |archive-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831181651/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/far-right-eurosceptic-party-surge-in-polls-ahead-of-swedish-elections/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Preliminary results indicated that the Sweden Democrats had seen their strongest result to date and had overtaken the Moderates to become the second largest party with 20.6% of the vote. The result was confirmed after the election.<ref>{{cite web | title=Anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats celebrate election gains | url=https://www.ft.com/content/ed8e683a-f65e-4848-b83f-a65883f75db9 | date=12 September 2022 | website=[[The Financial Times]] | access-date=12 September 2022 | archive-date=10 December 2022 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/ed8e683a-f65e-4848-b83f-a65883f75db9 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2022, the SD was allocated chairmanship of four parliamentary committees for the first time in the Riksdag with party secretary [[Richard Jomshof]] appointed to head the [[Committee on Justice|Justice Committee]], [[Aron Emilsson]] the [[Committee on Foreign Affairs (Sweden)|Committee on Foreign Affairs]], [[Tobias Andersson (politician)|Tobias Andersson]] the [[Committee on Industry and Trade (Sweden)|Committee on Industry and Trade]], and [[Magnus Persson (politician)|Magnus Persson]] the [[Committee on the Labour Market]]. SD parliamentarians were appointed as international delegation leaders for the first time, with [[Markus Wiechel]] becoming chairman of the Swedish delegation to the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]], [[Björn Söder]] for the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] and [[Adam Marttinen]] the chairman of the joint-parliamentary group for [[Europol]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Sweden: Right-wing party get 4 chairmanships in parliament | url=https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-general-sweden-23be530858f6a14c01b0e782ebff4b8a | date=1 October 2022 | website=[[Associated Press]] | access-date=2 October 2022 | archive-date=1 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001201709/https://apnews.com/article/business-elections-general-sweden-23be530858f6a14c01b0e782ebff4b8a | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sd-s-namn-till-presideposterna-klara|title=Richard Jomshof (SD) blir ordförande för justitieutskottet|first=Johan|last=Juhlin|newspaper=SVT Nyheter|date=1 October 2022|via=www.svt.se|access-date=11 January 2023|archive-date=20 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320033449/http://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/sd-s-namn-till-presideposterna-klara|url-status=live}}</ref>

The party also formed a deal with Moderate leader [[Ulf Kristersson]] to provide for the first time in their history parliamentary support to a Moderate Party-led government as part of the [[Tidö Agreement]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Szumski|first=Charles|date=16 September 2022|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/eu-lawmakers-slam-epp-for-siding-with-far-right-amid-swedish-election-results/|url-status=live|title=EU lawmakers slam EPP for siding with far-right amid Swedish election results|website=[[Euractiv]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924232011/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/eu-lawmakers-slam-epp-for-siding-with-far-right-amid-swedish-election-results/|archive-date=24 September 2022|access-date=19 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Duxbury|first=Charlie|date=17 October 2022|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-parliament-center-right-leader-ulf-kristersson-prime-minister/|title=Swedish parliament backs center-right leader Ulf Kristersson as new PM|work=[[Politico]]|access-date=19 October 2022|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018055908/https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-parliament-center-right-leader-ulf-kristersson-prime-minister/|url-status=live}}</ref>