Following reports from internal SD sources that the party leadership wants to cut off the million-krona subsidy to Riks, Jimmie Åkesson himself has now spoken out. He confirms that the subsidy may be withdrawn and cites the party’s financial situation. The announcement comes after reports that the Riks figurehead’s posts about Swedishness have irritated the SD leadership.
Leader of the Sweden Democrats Jimmie Åkesson is now breaking the silence regarding the future of the Riks media channel. Previously, reports of withdrawn funding were based on anonymous sources within the party. But in an interview with TT Åkesson himself suggests that the money could disappear.
In recent years, Riks has received approximately 8 million kronor annually from the SD. In 2025, the company behind the channel had revenue of 16.2 million kronor, meaning that the party’s contribution accounts for nearly half of its annual revenue. A withdrawal of this funding would therefore deal a severe blow to the channel’s finances.
Åkesson explains the announcement
Åkesson claims that the plan has always been for Riks to become financially independent. He also points out that the Sweden Democrats have less money to work with because the party lost ground in the election.
– We can note a couple of things. One is that the plan has always been to phase that out and for Riks to stand on its own two feet. And that’s definitely set in stone., ", he tells TT.
– In that case, you have to get the money from somewhere.
Reports of Irritation Among SD Leaders
The announcement comes after tasks that the Riks profile Richard Sörman's post about Swedish identity has annoyed the SD leadership. According to sources, this has contributed to plans to reduce support for the channel.
Åkesson, on the other hand, claims that the reason is economic factors and a previously planned phase-out. He does not comment on the reports of irritation regarding Sörman’s remarks in the TT article in question.
Final decision in one month
Riks has long had close ties to the Sweden Democrats, and many party representatives have appeared on the channel’s broadcasts. At the same time, Riks has built up its own editorial operations, whose finances remain heavily dependent on the party’s contributions.
A final decision is expected in about a month, when the SD decides on its budgets. Until then, it remains unclear whether the support will be reduced gradually or withdrawn entirely.
I have absolutely no interest in listening to Riks. I’ve barely listened to it at all—after all, there are almost never any Swedes in the studio either. You get globalist news from the mainstream media.
Riks has been playing it safe when it comes to the Jewish issue, the bioweapons issue, and the "Jewkraine" issue for several years, so as far as I'm concerned, the channel can go under along with the Sweden Democrats.