Sweden's general election remains too close to call as early results show narrow margin
Quick Look
With 50% of votes counted, Sweden's general election shows the two main blocs separated by only 20,000 votes, as exit polls had predicted a small lead for Magdalena Andersson's left-wing bloc over Ulf Kristersson's conservative coalition, which includes the hard-right Sweden Democrats.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Sweden has two major political blocs featuring four parties on the right and four on the left, making coalition and minority governments relatively common. The Social Democrats have been a major force in Swedish politics since the end of World War Two, while the Sweden Democrats, founded by Nazi sympathisers in the 1980s, were shunned for years until becoming the country's second largest party in 2022.
Sweden's general election remains too close to call, early results suggest.
With 50% of the votes counted, the two main blocs were separated by only 20,000 votes, Sweden public broadcaster SVT said.
Exit polls had given the left-wing political bloc led by Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson a small lead over the rival four-party coalition put together by current conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Kristersson has been supported in government by the hard-right Sweden Democrats (SD), which have neo-Nazi roots. He has promised cabinet jobs for the SD if he stays in charge, but partial results suggest the party was losing support for the first time since 2010 when it entered parliament.
Sweden has two major political blocs featuring four parties on the right and four on the left - meaning coalition and minority governments are relatively common.
Andersson's party, the Social Democrats, have been a major force in Swedish politics since the end of World War Two.
But SD - founded by Nazi sympathisers in the 1980s - had been shunned for years until 2022 when it became the country's second largest party after campaigning on violent crime and immigration.
After casting her vote on Sunday, Andersson laid out the choice facing the Swedish public: "Should we have a government entirely dominated by the Sweden Democrats, something that has never happened in Sweden before? Or should we have a government led by me, which will steer Sweden in a new spirit of co-operation?"
Kristersson, for his part, said it was important he and his alliance were able to continue their work.
"I think there is a genuine enthusiasm for us being able to continue our important work," he said after casting his ballot in his home municipality of Strangnas.
National security, gang crime and welfare spending dominated the election campaign.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Final election results will determine whether Magdalena Andersson's left-wing bloc or Ulf Kristersson's conservative coalition forms the next government
Very likely · Within days
Coalition negotiations will be required to form a government due to Sweden's multi-bloc political system
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Which bloc will ultimately win the election?
- Will the Sweden Democrats gain or lose support compared to previous elections?
- What coalition government will be formed after the final results?
- How will the election outcome affect Sweden's policies on national security, gang crime, and welfare spending?
