Social Democrats strongest force in Swedish parliamentary elections

The opposition Social Democrats became by far the strongest force in the parliamentary elections in Sweden on Sunday. A forecast based on voter surveys saw Magdalena Andersson's party with around 27.6 percent of the vote, according to Swedish television. That would be more than two percentage points less than in the last election in 2022. Nevertheless, Andersson could become head of government, as the bloc of left-wing parties in parliament is forecast to achieve a narrow majority of one seat in parliament.

According to the forecast, the second strongest force was Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's moderates with around 20 percent, who were able to improve slightly. Kristersson had led a minority government of Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals, which was tolerated by the Sweden Democrats. The so-called Tidö alliance with the right-wing populists had implemented extensive tightening of migration and crime policy.

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Kristersson initially did not comment on the outcome of the election. According to a report in the newspaper Aftonbladet, he apparently does not want to admit defeat at first. According to his party, the Moderates, it is said that the left-wing party camp is so divided that Kristersson is planning to gather support from the other parties in order to be elected Prime Minister again. For example, he could try to pull the Center Party into the Tidö alliance camp. However, the Center Party categorically rejects cooperation with the Sweden Democrats.

Significant losses for the Sweden Democrats

Unlike in 2022, the Sweden Democrats only became the third strongest force. They lost significantly and only got 17.5 percent. In 2022 they achieved 20.5 percent. Before the election, they had claimed formal participation in the government, i.e. ministerial positions - which was guaranteed to them by Kristersson in the event of his re-election.

The Christian Democrats won easily and received around six percent of the vote. The Liberals were also able to improve slightly to 5.5 percent. They had to tremble for a long time during the election campaign as to whether they would be able to get over the four percent hurdle again.

The loudest cheers came at the Left Party's election party; they achieved around eight percent and were therefore able to improve. The Greens also recorded an increase; according to forecasts, they received around 6.2 percent of the vote.

Preliminary results from the electoral authority are expected late Sunday evening. If the left-wing party camp remains in the lead, the task of forming a new government should go to Andersson. She had already been Prime Minister of Sweden between 2021 and 2022.

However, it is expected that it will be difficult to form a government. The positions of the parties in the left camp differ significantly, especially when it comes to migration policy; While the Social Democrats supported many of the now voted-out government's plans, the Left Party and the Greens in particular rejected them. It is also unclear whether the Center Party will go into government with the Left Party.