On Monday morning after the Swedish parliamentary election, there is full activity in the center of Rinkeby. Most rush to public transport, others stop to shop.
In Rinkeby, like other areas in the country that the police class as vulnerable, the Left Party has made strong progress. In several districts with over 20 percentage points, in others with upwards of 30 percentage points, according to preliminary figures.
In several electoral districts in JÀrva's neighborhoods, the Left Party has also received the most votes. For example, in RinkebysvÀngen S, where the party received 60.3 of the votes - an increase of 28.7 percentage points compared to the 2022 election.
- A happy news, Rashid Mohammed exclaims with a big smile.
The left-wing party's strongman in JĂ€rva has a lot to smile about today.
- We have made strong progress both in JĂ€rva and throughout the country. It shows that our politics have gone home with ordinary people. Those who live here need low rents, a job and well-functioning welfare, he says.
The Left Party has mobilized by knocking on over 100,000 doors in Stockholm County - 17,000 in JĂ€rva alone. A ring booth was arranged which resulted in 50,000 conversations with residents of the county and attracted dialogue with residents of the voting booth in Tensta.
- We asked what changes the residents want. We listened to their concerns. The successes are proof that the investments we made in JĂ€rva have paid off, says Rashid Mohammed.
First-time voter Zakaria Khadal, has been attracted by the Left Party.
- I think that the Left Party has grown a lot here because they have shown that they stand up for the town, that they want to help us more than the other parties and because they see us who live here as we really are, he says.
He was strongly influenced by the fact that the party leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Ă
kesson, said during his visit to Rinkeby that Rinkeby does not look like the rest of Sweden.
- I think that racism will decrease more with the Left Party than with the right parties, says Zakaria Khadal before rushing to his bus.
Ioannis Fysikas, also a first-time voter, believes that the migration issue lifted the left.
- Many in Rinkeby voted for the Left Party because they want to continue living in Sweden. Many here are worried about being deported. I think everyone who lives here should have the right to stay, regardless of which country they come from, he says.
Assistant nurse Yodit Jyassu believes that the Left Party has increased in Rinkeby because they pursued a policy of increased equality and cohesion in society.
- We immigrants want more community both with each other and with Swedes. If we do not integrate and inequalities increase, it can create jealousy and lead to more crime.
What do you hope for in the next term?
- That you should not throw out immigrants who work from Sweden. We immigrants do a lot for Sweden. Who should work in home care and nursing homes? I have studied, earn a good salary, have only two children and live a good life. Not all immigrants take other people's tax money, she says.
Rashid Mohammed confirms that substantive issues such as migration and racism are recurring topics that residents raised during the election process. He says that voters who voted for the Social Democrats in several elections said they felt let down by the party.
- This is why the Left Party is moving forward. People trust the Left Party's policies.
