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Sweden's Social Democrats lead parliamentary election; Sweden Democrats seen as kingmaker
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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.
Source report
Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats are the strongest force in the Swedish parliamentary election according to the first forecast. Source: Denis Balibouse/REUTERS
According to forecasts, the Social Democrats have emerged as the strongest force in the Swedish parliamentary election. However, the Sweden Democrats could once again play a crucial role in government formation, as the race for a majority remains open.
Election Results
In the Swedish parliamentary election, former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats received 28.4 percent of the vote, according to Swedish broadcaster SVT. Whether this is sufficient for forming a government remains uncertain.
- Conservative Party (led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson): 18.1 percent
- Sweden Democrats (right-wing populist): 17.2 percent
The forecasts, published at 8 p.m., are based on exit polls conducted by polling agencies.
Majority Outlook
Which political camp will ultimately claim a majority of the 349 seats in the Swedish Riksdag remains to be seen. According to the projection, the opposition challengers are in a better starting position:
- Parties supporting Andersson (Social Democrats, Left Party, Greens, and Centre Party): 51.3 percent
- Kristersson's coalition (Conservatives, Christian Democrats, Liberals, with support from the Sweden Democrats): 46.8 percent
Key Election Campaign Issues
Around eight million Swedes were called upon to vote. Long before the election, the opposition had been far ahead in opinion polls. However, shortly before the election date, a tighter race for power than expected began to emerge.
The election campaign focused on:
- Migration challenges
- Gang crime and stricter criminal laws
- Whether the right-wing populists could become part of a government in Sweden for the first time
Expert Analysis
"They (the Sweden Democrats) have developed a Swedish path of populism. It is not loud or screaming, but appears more moderate, yet remains provocative," said election researcher Torbjörn Sjöström from the Swedish polling institute Novus, speaking to ARD prior to the election.
Kristersson's coalition of his Conservatives, Christian Democrats, and Liberals has governed since the 2022 election with the support of the right-wing populists. Jimmie Åkesson, chairman of the Sweden Democrats, stated before the election: "We had the chance to take responsibility. We used that chance."
dpa/ceb
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