Alternative for Sweden
A clear guide to Alternative for Sweden (AfS) in Sweden: its history, ultranationalism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Sweden
- Founded
- 2018
- Position
- Far-right
- Leader
- Gustav Kasselstrand
- Headquarters
- Stockholm
Alternative for Sweden (Alternativ för Sverige, AfS) is a far-right party founded in 2018 by Gustav Kasselstrand and William Hahne, former leaders of the Sweden Democrats' youth wing who were expelled from that party in 2015. Its central demands are large-scale, partly forced return migration of immigrants and Sweden's withdrawal from the European Union. It has never won seats in the Riksdag.
History
AfS was launched in March 2018, and two Sweden Democrat MPs and former SD leader Mikael Jansson defected to it. It won 0.31 percent in the 2018 election, 0.26 percent in 2022, and also stood in 2026 without entering parliament. It won seats in the Church of Sweden's assembly in 2021 but lost them in 2025.
Economic Policy
AfS wants a flat income tax and a uniform VAT rate, lower taxes on capital income, an end to mortgage interest deductions and the re-nationalisation of all schools. It opposes a cashless society.
Foreign Policy
AfS wants Sweden to leave the EU, opposes dependence on NATO in favour of a Nordic defence alliance, and is non-interventionist.
Where They Stand
- Calls for large-scale, partly forced return migration
- Wants Sweden to leave the European Union
- Prefers a Nordic defence alliance to reliance on NATO
- Favours a flat income tax and state-run schools
- Wants to abolish public service broadcasting
Electoral Record
AfS won 0.31 percent in 2018, 0.46 percent in the 2019 European election and 0.26 percent in 2022. It did not enter the Riksdag in 2026.
Position on the Political Compass
Alternative for Sweden sits on the centrist side on economics and is more authoritarian on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Gustav Kasselstrand
Party leader
A former Sweden Democrat youth leader who founded the party.
Mikael Jansson
Deputy leader
Leader of the Sweden Democrats from 1995 to 2005, who joined AfS in 2018.
Sources and Further Reading
- Alternative for Sweden (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitealternativforsverige.se
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Sweden political test to see how your views compare with Alternative for Sweden and the other parties.
Take the Sweden Test
Social Policy
The party wants a new agency to review every residence permit granted since 2000 and to drive at least a million immigrants to leave. It wants to ban the construction of mosques, abolish public service broadcasting and press subsidies, limit abortion to twelve weeks and ban same-sex adoption.