STOCKHOLM — Voters in Sweden headed to the polls on Sunday for an election that could determine whether current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson retains his leadership role and a far-right party secures ministerial positions for the first time, or if the center-left Social Democrats reclaim governance.
Kristersson, who has led the country since 2022 with a three-party center-right coalition, faces a challenging re-election bid against former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, a prominent figure in Swedish politics since World War II.
Political analysts note the campaign has lacked coherence, with debates over healthcare reform overshadowed by discussions on coalition-building and government formation.
“Crime and inflation have declined, shifting public focus to governance and leadership,” said Zeth Isaksson, a political scientist at Stockholm University and the European University Institute. “This election is fundamentally about who will form the next government.”
Kristersson’s Moderates, in power since 2022, rely on outside support from the Sweden Democrats, an anti-immigration party formerly associated with far-right extremism. Should his coalition retain power, the Sweden Democrats could secure Cabinet seats, with Kristersson pledging to allow their participation while maintaining his premiership.
The election features two major blocs: a four-party right-wing alliance and a four-party left-wing coalition. Voters must choose a side capable of forming a parliamentary majority, as individual parties require a 4% vote threshold to gain seats.
The Sweden Democrats, who dominated the 2022 election with 20.5% support, stand to benefit from broader acceptance of their platform, despite their origins in radical right-wing circles. Under leader Jimmie Åkesson since 2005, the party has rebranded and grown into a significant political force, aligning with broader European populist trends.
The Sweden Democrats’ increased prominence reflects rising right-wing populism across Europe, such as the Alternative für Deutschland’s recent electoral success in Germany.
Approximately 8.2 million Swedes, or 77% of the population, will vote in the 349-seat Riksdag election. Preliminary results are expected by 9:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).
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