Sweden Democrats debate shift from ethnonationalism

A debate has emerged within the Sweden Democrats regarding the party's stance on ethnonationalism and Swedish identity. Carl Eos and Henrik Vinge have advocated for the party to move away from ethnonationalism, arguing that national community should not be based on biological ties.

Eos suggests that nationalism and ethnonationalism are distinct concepts, drawing on Benedict Anderson’s theory of ‘imagined communities’ to argue that nationalism can create a deep, horizontal camaraderie between people regardless of biological connection.

The discussion highlights a tension between two aspects of the party's direction: a political strategy aimed at reaching potential immigrant voters by redefining Swedishness, and the factual definition of the Swedish people and their cultural identity.