SD lawmaker says headscarf ban cost party young voters

Sweden Democrat Tobias Andersson says his party’s proposal for a headscarf ban contributed to a sharp fall in support among young voters in the 2026 election, SVT reported.

Support for the Sweden Democrats among the youngest voters fell from 22 to 15 per cent, according to SVT’s election survey. Andersson, who previously led the party’s youth wing, said winning back young voters should be a priority.

He said the proposal, announced in June, was poorly thought through and difficult to defend to young people. “The statement on a headscarf ban lacked nuance, explanation and supporting arguments,” he said, adding that a headscarf was much more common in Sweden than a burqa or niqab.

Andersson said the issue could alienate young voters who might otherwise agree with the party. He said it had been discussed at an internal meeting after the election, and that district chairs felt the debate had taken too much focus.

He also criticised the party’s overall campaign, saying it had focused too little on policy and failed to maintain a clear thread around a small number of issues.

Andersson lost his role leading the Riksdag’s industry and trade committee in a party reshuffle this week. He is now the Sweden Democrats’ second-ranked member of the education committee. He said he understood why the change had been described as a demotion, but added that the education committee dealt with important issues. Party leader Jimmie Åkesson has denied that he pushed anyone out.