STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN — Swedes are voting in a closely contested general election that could see the far right enter government for the first time, or return the left-wing opposition to power.
The election pits conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing alliance, which includes the Sweden Democrats, against a four-party left-wing bloc led by former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
Polls had earlier given Andersson’s bloc a comfortable lead, but the race has tightened significantly in the final days of campaigning.
“It is now up to the Swedish people to decide which direction our country should take,” Andersson said after casting her ballot on Sunday morning.
Her Social Democrats have centred their campaign on strengthening Sweden’s welfare system and easing the financial pressure on households facing rising living costs.
Kristersson, meanwhile, has highlighted his government’s record on organised crime and immigration, pointing to a decline in deadly shootings and bombings as well as historically low asylum applications.
But the spotlight is firmly on Jimmie Åkesson’s Sweden Democrats, which supported Kristersson’s minority government in parliament after the 2022 election and is now seeking formal positions in government.
Kristersson has indicated that the party could be given key cabinet posts if the right-wing bloc wins.
About eight million people are eligible to vote, with roughly half having already cast their ballots in advance.
Polling stations close at 8pm local time, when exit polls are expected. Reliable results are expected several hours later.
A right-wing victory could make government formation relatively straightforward.
A win for Andersson’s bloc, however, could lead to difficult negotiations among its four ideologically diverse parties.
