The Swedish Social Democrats are urging the government to take immediate measures to safeguard the upcoming election from external interference, threats, and sabotage. Party Secretary Tobias Baudin highlights the growing threat of disinformation and cyberattacks, citing examples from around the world. The party has outlined four key demands for the government, including enhancing IT security and banning foreign financial contributions to political entities.
Social Democrats Demand Government Action to Protect Upcoming Election
Social Democrats Demand Government Action to Protect Upcoming Election
The Social Democrats are putting pressure on the government to do more to protect next year's election from external interference, threats, and sabotage.
– Disinformation is sadly a very current issue, says Party Secretary Tobias Baudin.
In September next year, the Swedish people will go to the polls. Tobias Baudin (S) is concerned about potential attempts to disrupt the election by various actors.
– Swedish elections should be decided by the Swedish people through democratic free elections, and Swedish election processes should be free from external influence, threats, and sabotage attacks. It may sound obvious, but there are strong forces that want something else, he says.
Baudin exemplifies with Russia's attempts to disrupt the election in Moldova and repeated revelations of cyberattacks and infiltration around the world. He also mentions influence through social media and the use of fake audio, images, and videos, known as deepfakes.
– It has increased in recent years, both in number and complexity. And Sweden is far from immune to disinformation and cyberattacks.
Four Demands on the Government
To protect the election, the Social Democrats want Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's government to promptly take a series of measures. The party has four demands they want to see fulfilled.
This involves giving the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Psychological Defense Agency a range of tasks. Among other things, to prepare and protect critical infrastructure, including the Election Authority, and to conduct risk assessments of the political parties' IT security. The Social Democrats also want the government to give the agencies increased responsibility for informing the public about risks and how to protect themselves.
Tobias Baudin also raises a demand for the government to ensure that relevant authorities investigate suspected corruption and provide annual review reports on the state of society's institutions.
– There needs to be mandatory training for employees and parliamentarians on corruption and foreign interference. And Russian financial contributions to parties, members, and election candidates need to be banned, he says.
What is your own party doing to protect itself from influence?
– We are constantly working on our IT security, and we have also been subjected to various forms of overload attacks. I would welcome, for example, if the Psychological Defense Agency could test our IT system and see if it might be improved.