The Sweden Democrats want to give residents in residential neighborhoods the power to stop municipal plans for new construction that would change the character of their area. At a press conference in Almedalen, party leader Jimmie Åkesson presented a new election promise of a “citizens’ veto against forced mixing” — a proposal described as a response to the Social Democrats’ integration and housing policies.

The Sweden Democrats are making the issue of so-called forced mixing one of their major battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 election. At a press conference in Almedalen, party leader Jimmie Åkesson presented a proposal to allow residents in residential neighborhoods to stop large-scale construction projects through a citizens’ veto.

According to the proposal, a qualified majority of the residents would have to give their approval before municipalities can move ahead with extensive new construction that alters the character of an area. If at least 25 percent of those affected say no, the project could be stopped.

“There are a great many people in Sweden who for a long time, perhaps most of their lives, have worked, labored, fought hard to be able to buy a house, a home, to create a secure life in a safe Swedish residential area,” said Åkesson.

SD: The Social Democrats Want to Destroy Residential Areas

The background is the Social Democrats’ ambition to reduce segregation by building rental apartment blocks in affluent residential neighborhoods, where the apartments are earmarked for socio-economically disadvantaged individuals with non-Western immigrant backgrounds—people who currently live in so-called exclusion areas, also referred to as concrete suburbs and Million Program areas. The Sweden Democrats describe this as a policy of “forced mixing.”

“Today we see how politicians, not least from the Social Democrats and the left, want to change these safe, prosperous neighborhoods. They want to do it through extensive new construction and densification,” said Åkesson.

According to SD, this often happens against the wishes of current residents.

“It often goes against what those who already live in these areas want,” he emphasized.

The party leader claims that the Social Democrats are trying to use well-functioning housing areas to deal with the negative consequences of previous migration and integration policies.

“Through forced mixing, they want to use these well-functioning areas as airbags to cushion the consequences of their own totally failed, irresponsible immigration policy, and the non-demanding integration policies they’ve pursued for decades,” said Åkesson.

Want to Shift Power from Politicians to Neighbors

A central part of SD’s argument is that local residents should have greater influence over their immediate environment.

“People should have more influence over their own living environment and their own neighborhood,” said Åkesson.

ALSO READ: Homeowners Say No to Social Democratic Forced Mixing

He argued that the current system instead moves power away from residents.

“It means that power is moved from those who live in an area to politicians, to officials, and to developers. This is what we want to counteract by introducing a citizens’ veto.”

According to SD, the issue is also about protecting people’s economic interests.

“At the same time, families already living in these areas risk losing influence over decisions that affect their everyday life, their security, and not least the value of one of the largest investments of their lives.”

Will Also Cover Immigrant Families

Åkesson emphasized that the proposal is not only aimed at ethnic Swedes but also at immigrant families who have left vulnerable areas behind.

“It could just as easily be about an immigrant family who has fought hard to get out of these problem areas to which they are often relegated. Fought, worked, toiled, adapted to have the chance to buy this home in an area where their children can grow up in safety,” he said.

According to SD, people who have made major sacrifices to create a safer life should not risk having their living environment changed by political decisions.

Details to Be Investigated

Exactly how a citizens’ veto would be designed has not yet been determined. Åkesson indicated that the requirements could become even stricter than the levels now presented by the party.

“It is possible that a qualified majority of 75 percent is not enough. Maybe more is needed. An inquiry will have to examine this, but our direction is clear.”

ALSO READ: S-Politician to Homeowners Who Don’t Want Forced Mixing: ‘Move’

He concluded by stating that SD sees this issue as one of the most important in the election campaign.

“The Social Democrats’ forced mixing must be stopped, and it will be stopped by legislation for a strengthened citizens’ veto against forced mixing and the construction of rental apartments in well-functioning residential neighborhoods.”

Watch the full press conference below.