Threats and harassment against elected politicians on social media have doubled since 2012, according to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention. Police in Jönköping warn of rising issues ahead of the election campaign, as local politicians describe a tougher societal climate. A report shows few report the threats to police.
According to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention (Brå), threats and attacks against elected politicians on social media have doubled since 2012. DN reports that such threats increasingly come from right-wing extremist groups.
In Jönköping, police chief Håkan Boberg fears rising issues with hate and threats as the election campaign intensifies. "It is outside what is okay according to the law", says Boberg, referring to hate emails received by municipal councilors Andreas Persson (S) and Mona Forsberg (S). Forsberg describes the development as frightening: "The development is frightening and we have a shared responsibility here."
The national context is marked by Center Party leader Anna-Karin Hatt's resignation, linked to a tougher climate. A local councilor in Jönköping considered quitting due to hate and threats, according to SVT Nyheter on October 16, 2025.
Brå's 2023 report shows that only 16 percent of politicians exposed to hate, threats, and violence file a police report. Boberg notes that most refrain from reporting.