- Title: Optimistic Sweden Democrat leader Akesson votes
- Date: 9th September 2018
- Summary: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (SEPTEMBER 9, 2018) (REUTERS) SWEDEN DEMOCRATS LEADER JIMMIE AKESSON ARRIVING AT CITY HALL TO VOTE INTERIOR OF POLLING STATION, AKESSON IN POLLING BOOTH LICKING ENVELOPE AKESSON IN POLLING BOOTH MEDIA IN POLLING BOOTH AKESSON WALKING UP TO ELECTION OFFICIALS, HANDS OVER HIS BALLOT ELECTION OFFICIAL CHECKING BALLOT AKESSON, OFFICIAL PUTTING AKESSON'S BALLOT IN BOX, AKESSON WALKING AWAY AKESSON BEING INTERVIEWED CAMERA OPERATORS AND REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN DEMOCRATS LEADER, JIMMIE AKESSON, SAYING: "I feel good, great actually. It's Election Day. It's democracy's big day, which only takes place every four years, and now I've done my duty and I hope that everyone who has the opportunity to vote does so." AKESSON BEING INTERVIEWED CAMERA OPERATOR (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN DEMOCRATS LEADER, JIMMIE AKESSON, SAYING: "Everything points to us having a very good election. Then the question is how good. Considering what has happened over the last four years it's not that strange that our numbers have increased. At the same time, I'd be surprised if we didn't increase our numbers significantly. I believe that we're properly challenging both the Social Democrats and the Moderates. It could go many ways. The opinion polls vary a lot, so it's difficult to say." AKESSON BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN DEMOCRATS LEADER, JIMMIE AKESSON, SAYING: "There are many things that need to be done. Our welfare has been incredibly strained during these last few years. (Swedish Prime Minister) Stefan Lofven has prioritised asylum and immigration ahead of welfare, and we would reverse that priority and prioritise welfare instead." AKESSON BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) SWEDEN DEMOCRATS LEADER, JIMMIE AKESSON, SAYING: "Throughout the whole election campaign, I've said that somewhere between 20 and 30 percent is a reasonable election result for us, and I think it's possible." AKESSON BEING INTERVIEWED AKESSON AND AIDES WALKING AWAY, AKESSON GETTING INTO CAR CITY HALL, WHERE AKESSON VOTED, WITH SWEDISH FLAGS FLYING
- Embargoed: 23rd September 2018 15:20
- Keywords: Jimmie Akesson Sweden Democrats Swedish election Swedish government
- Location: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
- City: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
- Country: Sweden
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA0018WWN41Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson cast his vote on Sunday (September 9) in an election in which his populist, anti-immigration party is vying to become the biggest in a country long seen as a bastion of economic stability and liberal values.
The centre-left bloc, uniting the minority governing Social Democrat and Green parties with the Left Party, is backed by about 40 percent of voters, recent opinion polls indicate, with a slim lead over the centre-right Alliance bloc.
The Sweden Democrats, who want the country to leave the European Union and put a freeze on immigration, have about 17 percent, up from the 13 percent they scored in the 2014 vote, opinion polls suggest. But their support was widely underestimated before the last election and some online surveys give them as much as 25 percent.
The influx of 163,000 asylum seekers in 2015 has polarised voters, fractured the cosy political consensus and could give the Sweden Democrats, a party with roots in the neo-Nazi fringe, a veto over which parties form the next government.
Sweden took in more asylum seekers per capita than any other country in Europe in 2015, magnifying worries about a welfare system that many voters already believe is in crisis.
Akesson has labelled the vote a choice between immigration and welfare.
He has also promised to sink any government that refuses to give his party a say in policy, particularly on immigration.
Polling stations open at 0600 GMT and close at 1800 GMT, with exit polls set be published by Sweden's two main broadcasters around that time. Results from the vote count will become clear later in the evening. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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