Voters in Sweden cast ballots on Sunday in a closely contested general election that could bring the far right into government, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press reported. Polling stations across the European Union nation opened at 8:00am local time. The outcome will decide whether the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats formally enter the governing administration or the centre-left opposition led by the Social Democrats regains office. Approximately eight million citizens are eligible to participate out of a total population of 10.6 million.
Opposition leader Magdalena Andersson, who served as Sweden`s first female prime minister in 2021, cast her ballot shortly after polls opened at a school in Nacka, south of Stockholm. Speaking to reporters, Andersson stated that voters face a choice regarding the national trajectory, contrasting a government influenced by the far right with a coalition focused on cooperation. Her campaign has prioritized expanding social welfare and easing household living costs.
Pre-election surveys showed Andersson`s four-party alliance holding an early lead, though final polling indicated the margin narrowed against the conservative bloc.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking a second consecutive four-year term. Since 2022, Kristersson has led a minority centre-right coalition supported from outside the cabinet by the Sweden Democrats to secure a parliamentary majority. His platform emphasizes public safety measures against organized crime and stricter immigration controls.
The Sweden Democrats secured 20.5 percent of the national vote in 2022 to emerge as the largest faction within the right-wing bloc. Under current arrangements, the party anticipates formal cabinet appointments if the conservative alliance retains its majority, with Kristersson remaining as prime minister.
Election officials confirmed that approximately half of the electorate cast their ballots in advance. Voting centers are scheduled to close at 8:00pm local time, after which the first exit polls and initial preliminary tallies will be released.
