Social Democratic Party Sweden vs. Sweden Democrats Party

Attribute	Social Democratic Party Sweden	Sweden Democrats Party
Ideology	Social democracy, democratic socialism	Right-wing populism, national conservatism
Founded	1889	1988
Current Leader	Stefan Löfven	Jimmie Åkesson
Seats in Parliament	100	62

History

The Social Democratic Party Sweden, commonly known as the Social Democrats, was founded in 1889 and has been a dominant political force in Sweden for much of the 20th century. The party has a long history of advocating for social welfare programs, workers' rights, and progressive policies. On the other hand, the Sweden Democrats Party, founded in 1988, has a more recent history and is known for its nationalist and anti-immigration stance. The party has been criticized for its ties to far-right extremism.

Ideology

The Social Democrats are a center-left party that believes in a mixed economy with a strong welfare state. They support progressive taxation, universal healthcare, and workers' rights. The party also advocates for gender equality, environmental protection, and multiculturalism. In contrast, the Sweden Democrats are a right-wing populist party that promotes nationalist and anti-immigration policies. They are critical of multiculturalism and advocate for stricter immigration controls, as well as a more traditional view of Swedish culture.

Leadership

The Social Democrats are currently led by Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, who has been in office since 2014. Löfven is a former trade unionist and has been praised for his pragmatic approach to governance. The Sweden Democrats are led by Jimmie Åkesson, who has been the party leader since 2005. Åkesson is known for his strong stance on immigration and has been a controversial figure in Swedish politics.

Electoral Performance

The Social Democrats have been one of the largest parties in Sweden for much of the 20th century, often winning the most seats in parliamentary elections. However, their support has declined in recent years, and they have faced challenges from other parties on the left. The Sweden Democrats have seen a surge in support in recent years, becoming the third-largest party in Sweden. They have capitalized on anti-immigration sentiment and dissatisfaction with mainstream parties.

Policy Positions

The Social Democrats have a strong focus on social welfare programs, including healthcare, education, and pensions. They also support progressive taxation and environmental protection measures. The party has been criticized for its handling of immigration issues and for not being strong enough on law and order. The Sweden Democrats, on the other hand, prioritize immigration control, law and order, and national identity. They have been accused of promoting xenophobia and racism in their policies.

Coalition Building

The Social Democrats have a history of forming coalitions with other left-wing parties, such as the Green Party and the Left Party. They have also worked with centrist parties to form governments. The Sweden Democrats have been isolated by other parties due to their controversial policies and far-right connections. They have not been able to form coalitions with mainstream parties and have been kept out of government.

Public Perception

The Social Democrats have traditionally been seen as a party of the working class and have strong support among labor unions. They have also been praised for their role in building the Swedish welfare state. However, the party has faced criticism for not being progressive enough on issues such as immigration and climate change. The Sweden Democrats, on the other hand, have been criticized for their nationalist and anti-immigration stance. They have been accused of promoting xenophobia and racism, which has led to their isolation by other parties.