Die schwedische Parlamentswahl 2010. Hochphase und Endpunkt der starren Blockpolitik?

For the second time in Swedish post-war history a centre-right alliance was re-elected to government on 19th September 2010. However, the four-party coalition headed by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was only able to form a minority government. An overall majority was prevented by the first time entry to parliament of the far-right party Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna). Beforehand, the election campaign had featured two closed and opposing party political camps of the right and left wing political spectrum. In this article, the election campaign, the election result and the success of the Sweden Democrats are closely analysed. The article argues that the two political camps showed strong signs of disintegration and internal divisions after the election. Thus, the general election in 2010 can be interpreted as both high and end point of the rigid polarised camp politics.