Sweden Democrats leaders clash over definition of Swedishness

Prominent members of the Sweden Democrats (SD) party, Mattias Karlsson and Richard Jomshof, have engaged in a heated debate regarding the party's ideological stance on national identity. The dispute centers on the distinction between 'cultural nationalism' and 'ethnonationalism'.

Karlsson has warned against adopting an ethnonationalist line, describing such ideology as 'immoral, simplistic, and unnecessarily divisive.' He argues that moving away from 'open Swedishness'—which defines national community through language, culture, and values—could lead to destructive ideas regarding discrimination.

Conversely, Jomshof has emphasized the importance of biological ties and the concept of the Swedish people as the country's indigenous population. He stated on social media that there is value in Swedes remaining the majority in their own country. While the party's official program defines the nation through culture and loyalty rather than genetics, the internal friction highlights a growing divide between those favoring an inclusive cultural identity and those advocating for an ethnic basis for the nation.