‘I hope that scenario won’t happen’: Swedish Social Democrat warns against far-right alliance
Evin Incir, a member of the European parliament from the Swedish Social Democratic party who is running for re-election, told the Guardian that she is “worried that the far-right, conservative and liberal groups will join forces” in the next European parliament.
“I hope that scenario won’t happen,” she said in a phone interview, adding that some of these groups have already come together to “shoot down” or “water down” climate and environment initiatives.
While as a social democrat her goal would be a “progressive” parliament, Incir said a “realistic” hope for the next European parliament would be a centrist coalition.
Key events
‘Much higher interest’: Swedish Moderates candidate says voters clear on importance of EU cooperation
Arba Kokalari, a candidate for Sweden’s centre-right Moderate party, told the Guardian that “there is a general higher awareness about the EU elections, and the importance to vote.”
In a phone interview, Kokalari, a member of the European parliament since 2019, noted that turnout in European elections is usually lower in Sweden than in national elections.
“But this time – and I’ve been in many campaigns, many European election campaigns, actually for the last 20 years – and this is the first time I feel that there is a much higher interest,” she said.
She added that “I think the reason for that is the Russian war in Ukraine, we’ve had the COVID pandemic … the importance of European cooperation, I think, has become very obvious and clear for the Swedish voters.”
Asked what issues voters are bringing up on the campaign trail, Kokalari said that “in general, it’s not particularly one issue that is dominating. It’s several concerns, and I would say that it’s the climate, it’s migration, it’s the fight against criminality, which is the most serious issue in Sweden right now, and of course, the support for Ukraine.”
The Swedish Social Democratic party’s Evin Incir said that when speaking with voters “the biggest issue has been the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Incir also said climate issues are playing a role in the election.
“The biggest challenge for people has been to understand the view of the parties,” Incir said, noting that turnout for European elections has been significantly lower than for national polls.
Parties and the media both have a role in explaining EU issues, also between elections, she stressed, arguing that there is a need to “change” how society talks about the EU.
What do the polls say about Sweden?
Voters will go to the polls in Sweden on Sunday to elect 21 members of the European parliament.
The Social Democrats are leading in opinion polls. The far-right Sweden Democrats and centre-right Moderates are neck-to-neck for second place, according to the polls.
‘I hope that scenario won’t happen’: Swedish Social Democrat warns against far-right alliance
Evin Incir, a member of the European parliament from the Swedish Social Democratic party who is running for re-election, told the Guardian that she is “worried that the far-right, conservative and liberal groups will join forces” in the next European parliament.
“I hope that scenario won’t happen,” she said in a phone interview, adding that some of these groups have already come together to “shoot down” or “water down” climate and environment initiatives.
While as a social democrat her goal would be a “progressive” parliament, Incir said a “realistic” hope for the next European parliament would be a centrist coalition.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.
This week we’re focusing on campaigns across Europe ahead of this weekend’s elections.
Yesterday, we heard from candidates in Denmark and the Baltics.
Today, we will delve into campaigns in Sweden, Finland, Poland and more.
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