Sweden's party leaders in final push before general election
Quick Look
- Swedish party leaders are in the final stretch of a tight general election.
- Outgoing PM Ulf Kristersson seeks a new mandate to combat organized crime, while the opposition Social Democrats focus on welfare and cost-of-living support for households.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Sweden is holding a general election where the incumbent government faces a challenge from the opposition left-wing bloc. The campaign has focused on issues like organized crime and welfare.
Sweden’s party leaders campaigned on Friday in the final stretch of a close election race that could see either the centre left take back power or the far-right enter government for the first time.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was hoping for a renewed mandate to “make Sweden great again”, he told Agence France-Presse on the sidelines of a campaign rally, in a nod to US President Donald Trump’s catchphrase.
While Europe is dominated by right-wing governments, opinion polls in Sweden have for months shown the opposition left-wing bloc holding a strong lead ahead of Sunday’s general election, although this has narrowed considerably in the final days of the campaign.
“The most important thing is that the right-wing wins, to continue what they have started,” pensioner Kurt Flodin, 79, said of Kristersson’s outgoing government.
He said he wanted Kristersson to continue focusing on curbing the organised crime plaguing the country.
For their part, the centre-left Social Democrats – which governed for the better part of the 20th century and remain Sweden’s biggest party – have pledged to help struggling households pay bills and bolster the welfare state.
Jenny Larsson, a theatre worker who turns 54 on election day, said these issues mattered.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
General election to be held on Sunday.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Who will win the parliamentary majority?
- Will the far-right enter government?
