Sweden’s centre-left bloc holds narrow lead as far-right could enter cabinet for first time
Sweden’s September 13 parliamentary election remains too close to call, with the centre-left opposition led by Magdalena Andersson holding a narrow lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing bloc, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats. Exit polls and partial results show the blocs separated by as few as 20,000 votes. The Sweden Democrats could gain cabinet positions for the first time if Kristersson’s coalition wins. The campaign focused on migration, gang crime, and welfare.
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Swedish party blocs tied after Sunday vote, projections say
Sweden's general election remains too close to call with 50% of votes counted, as the two main political blocs are separated by only 20,000 votes, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Exit polls had given the left-wing bloc led by Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson a small lead over the four-party coalition of current conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Kristersson has been supported in government by the hard-right Sweden Democrats (SD), which have neo-Nazi roots, and has promised cabinet jobs for the SD if he remains in charge. However, partial results suggest the SD was losing support for the first time since entering parliament in 2010. Andersson framed the choice as between a government dominated by the Sweden Democrats or one led by her in a new spirit of cooperation. Kristersson expressed enthusiasm for continuing his alliance's work. National security, gang crime, and welfare spending dominated the campaign.
Read sourceSweden's Social Democrats lead parliamentary election; government formation uncertain with Sweden Democrats as kingmaker
According to projections by Swedish broadcaster SVT based on exit polls, former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats have won 28.4% of the vote in Sweden's parliamentary election, making them the strongest party. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's Conservative Party received 18.1%, while the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats garnered 17.2%. The opposition bloc supporting Andersson—including the Social Democrats, Left Party, Greens, and Centre Party—stands at 51.3%, while Kristersson's coalition with the Sweden Democrats totals 46.8%. The race for a majority of the 349 Riksdag seats remains open, and the Sweden Democrats could again play a crucial role in government formation. The election campaign focused on migration, gang crime, and stricter criminal laws. Election researcher Torbjörn Sjöström noted that the Sweden Democrats have developed a moderate but provocative Swedish path of populism. Around eight million Swedes were eligible to vote.
Swedish election may bring far-right into cabinet for first time, polls show
Sweden holds a general election on September 13 that could either bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time or return the country to its liberal tradition. Several polls show the centre-left opposition led by Magdalena Andersson narrowly ahead of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing bloc, though Kristersson made a late surge. Supporters of the right-wing bloc credit their policies with curbing gang violence and reducing immigration, while critics argue the agenda erodes civil liberties and pressures immigrants. Kristersson has pledged to include the far-right Sweden Democrats in the cabinet if his bloc wins. The outcome may hinge on whether the Liberals surpass the 4% threshold to secure seats. The Sweden Democrats have supported Kristersson's minority government for four years. Both blocs agree on supporting Ukraine, military rearmament, and alleviating the cost-of-living crisis.
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Sweden Votes Sunday: Harsh Tone in Far North as Right-Wing Bloc Narrows Gap
Sweden goes to the polls on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with voters choosing between a left-wing and right-wing bloc. The election campaign was dominated by healthcare, the economy, and unemployment. The right-wing bloc includes the Sweden Democrats (SD), a right-wing populist party that has been an official support provider for the current Tidö Government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's Moderates, in coalition with the Liberals and Christian Democrats. The SD could now hold ministerial positions for the first time. The opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats, appeared certain to return to power, but their lead has shrunk to 3.2 percent in the latest poll, with the red-green bloc at 50.8 percent and the Tidö parties at 47.6 percent. The Tidö Government focused on 'law and order' and migration policy, linking gang crime to migrants. While murder rates from organized crime decreased, critics warn the SD aims to remove 'non-ethnic' Swedes and may become more radical with more power. SD leader Jimmie Åkesson demands at least twelve ministerial posts if the right-wing bloc wins. Andersson warns that Sweden would be a 'completely different country' if the SD, which she calls a 'far-right party founded by neo-Nazis,' gains power.
Swedish centre-left bloc holds narrow poll lead ahead of Sunday election
Three polls show Sweden's centre-left opposition bloc maintaining a narrow lead ahead of Sunday's parliamentary election, which is seen as a referendum on the current right-wing government's alliance with the far-right Sweden Democrats. Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson remains the favorite to replace Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson as prime minister. The four left-wing parties combined have support ranging from 49.3% to 50.8%, translating into 175 to 180 seats in the 349-seat parliament. The governing coalition and its far-right support party have support between 47.6% and 49.0%, corresponding to 169 to 174 seats. Kristersson has pushed Sweden away from its former liberal image with strict immigration policies. Andersson's camp has pledged increased public spending. However, a poll on Friday indicated a lead of just one seat, similar to the closely contested 2022 election. Within the centre-left, disagreements over government formation exist, with both the Centre Party and the Left Party ruling out including each other in a cabinet, which could lead to lengthy negotiations and a minority government. Both camps support Ukraine against Russia and domestic military rearmament.
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