Sweden leaders’ debate shows how far language over immigration has moved

Sweden’s general election campaign ended with the Sweden Democrats in a huff and boycotting SVT, the state broadcaster, because it issued a statement distancing itself from comments made by Jimmie Åkesson in the leaders’ debate that it broadcast. Having a supposedly neutral state broadcaster pass judgement is the perfect gift for Åkesson, who said it demonstrates an establishment stitch-up and institutional bias. But actual debate itself offered a fascinating glimpse into how much the debate has shifted in Sweden – with leaders of all parties offering immigration-related facts that make a British listener gasp. We had seven party leaders, most of whom expressing views that they’d have denounced as racist not so long ago. The Sweden Democrats has certainly lost its monopoly on discussing immigration-related problems. If it flops tonight, this might be why. Åkesson has certainly succeeded in framing the discussion. A section of the debate was devoted to immigrant-driven gang crime (subject of a Spectator