The bitterness of disappointed expectations

The underlying question was: are there political topics and issues where the left in a broad sense and social democracy in particular can win back voters from SD?

The short answer to the question is no.

Our report, based on a opinion poll from last autumn, finds no support for the idea that SD voters are part of a dissatisfied left. Instead the party functions as a gathering point for a number of voters holding reactionary values including a deviation from the Swedish mainstream on issues like equality. They also display a distrust of elites and widespread dissatisfaction with how public welfare services work. While they express strong criticism, such as towards the existing pension system, they lack confidence in traditional left-backed political proposals as solutions to these challenges.

Discover the full findings and recommendations for social democratic actors in our report.