Sweden has seen a sharp drop in shootings and deadly gang violence since Ulf Kristersson’s conservative government took office in 2022, and he has cautioned that the progress could reverse after Sunday’s election.

Shootings fell from 391 with 62 deaths in 2022 to 48 with 12 deaths by 6 August this year, an 80 percent decline, while the prime minister said lethal gang violence fell 75 percent over the same span. The government credits tougher penalties, more police funding, expanded wiretapping, and lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14, along with higher wage thresholds, tighter rules for skilled and family immigration, and extra money for voluntary departures. Asylum applications are expected to total 4,200 this year, down from 160,000 in 2015.

Kristersson said the results came from new methods and that Sunday’s vote will decide whether the government can finish ending the gangs and restoring security.