Changes in radical right’s security and defence policy position: the case of Sweden democrats, 2022
Abstract
Although scholarship on security and defence policy of radical right parties (RRPs) is growing, limited attention has been paid to why some RRPs change their positions and geopolitical orientations. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Sweden Democrats (SD), previously strong supporters of Swedish non-alignment, shifted to endorsing NATO membership. This article argues that the change is best explained by strategic domestic calculations. As Swedish political debate converged around support for Ukraine and NATO accession, SD adapted to the emerging consensus to increase its coalitionability in anticipation of the 2022 Swedish parliamentary election.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Populism
Right-Wing Movements
Global Security and Public Health
Political Conflict and Governance
Publication details
- Journal / source
- East European Politics
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 410–430
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN