As Sweden prepares to vote on Sunday (13 September), the country is facing a threat that has become familiar across Europe: attempts by Russia to exploit political divisions and undermine trust in institutions.
Swedish authorities are taking the possibility seriously.
The government in Stockholm has pointed to the current security environment, technological change and experience from elections elsewhere in Europe as reasons to strengthen the country’s resilience against foreign malign information influence.
“All authorities who work with cyberthreats work together, cooperating with us at the Election Authority and helping us secure the IT system,” the Election Authority’s chief executive, Anna Nyqvist, told Radio Sweden.
In February, the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) published its annual assessment for 2025. The report warned that Russia was using hybrid methods against EU and Nato countries and was prioritising measures to strengthen its military capabilities in the region.
