Swedish PM offers deal that could see far-right allowed into government

Party, which has neo-Nazi roots, will hold ‘important ministerial posts within immigration’ if four-party coalition wins in September

The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has said that he will allow the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) into government for the first time – and give its members key ministerial posts – if his coalition wins the next general election.

Despite becoming Sweden’s second biggest political party after the Social Democrats in the last election, SD currently plays only a supporting role in the minority-run coalition.

But Kristersson, who leads the centre-right Moderates, said on Wednesday that if his four-party coalition won September’s election, SD would hold “big political influence and important ministerial posts within immigration and integration”.

In a joint press conference with SD’s leader, Jimmie Åkesson, Kristersson, whose polling after four years in government is not looking favourable, said: “We have agreed to jump-start the next term and form a strong majority government if we get the voters’ trust.”