The election fraud scandal in Borlänge is shaking confidence in Swedish democracy. A new poll shows that confidence in the integrity of elections has fallen sharply. Distrust is particularly widespread among supporters of one party.
Confidence that Swedish elections are conducted fairly has dropped from 77 to 69 percent in one year. This is according to a survey by Indikator Opinion, conducted in October on behalf of Sveriges Radio's Ekot. Meanwhile, new details have emerged regarding the police investigation into suspected election fraud in Borlänge, where three people have been notified of criminal charges.
SD voters' distrust stands out
Among SD supporters, only 32 percent say they have some or a great deal of confidence in the conduct of the election. Among Center Party supporters, the corresponding figure is as high as 91 percent. The political scientist Henrik Ekengren Oscarsson A study at the University of Gothenburg points to allegations of election fraud linked to the Left Party in Borlänge and problems with early voting as possible explanations for the decline.
Suspect Knows the V Party Politician
On Monday, police questioned two people in connection with the Borlänge investigation. One of them is suspected of aiding and abetting improper conduct during voting. The man's defense attorney Kristofer Stahre states for TV4 that the client knows both Mohamed Ali, a member of the Riksdag from the Left Party, and the person described as the prime suspect.
– In my opinion, the admissions he has made are not punishable under the relevant provision of law in this section, ", says Stahre.
The main suspect also denies the charges. A total of three people have been notified of criminal charges in the investigation, which concerns alleged irregularities in connection with the election. The fact that one of the suspects knows Mohamed Ali does not mean that the member of Parliament himself is suspected of any crime.
The Election Fraud Investigation Could Determine Public Trust
According to Ekengren Oscarsson, confidence may recover once the Election Review Board has reached a decision and the reports of election incidents have been addressed. At the same time, he believes that any convictions in Borlänge could further deepen the mistrust. In that case, the issue of changes to the Swedish ballot system could also regain relevance.
I guess you can't trust opinion polls either. Before the election, the L Party was at around 2 %, then they showed Mohamsson with a Star of David, and just like that, they were over the threshold. Strange, isn't it?.
It's no wonder there's cheating when you let in hordes of desert trespassers into Sweden—they're infiltrating every single government agency.
The election is merely a symbolic gesture; the outcome is predetermined, but the people still believe they have the power to influence it.