Sweden's centre-left opposition leads election as far-right slips, exit polls show
Exit polls in Sweden's parliamentary election show the centre-left opposition backing Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson in the lead, while the far-right Sweden Democrats lose ground. Official results are expected within hours.
Sweden's centre-left bloc, which supports Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson for prime minister, held an early lead of 51.3% in Sunday's parliamentary election, according to an exit poll from broadcaster SVT. A separate election-day poll from broadcaster TV4 similarly pointed to a centre-left lead. Official first results from the Swedish Election Authority were expected within hours.
Swedish exit polls have not always matched the final outcome. In 2022, an exit poll pointed to victory for Andersson's bloc, yet the election was ultimately won by a right-wing coalition led by Ulf Kristersson, who has served as prime minister since.
Far-right could enter government for first time
Should the right-wing bloc prevail, the far-right Sweden Democrats — polling at 17.2% in the SVT exit poll — would join government for the first time. The party, which has roots in the neo-Nazi fringe, has made the election a referendum of sorts on whether the Nordic nation of 10.6 million continues shifting rightward or returns toward its traditional liberal identity.
Several polls this week had shown the centre-left opposition with a narrow edge over the governing right-wing bloc. However, Kristersson, who has trailed in opinion polls throughout his four years in office, closed the gap in the campaign's final weeks as support for Andersson and the Social Democrats slipped.
Critics contend that Kristersson's government has weakened civil liberties and pressured immigrants — through both incentives and penalties — to align more closely with Swedish cultural norms or leave the country.
A strong showing for the Sweden Democrats would be welcomed by Europe's rising far-right movements, energized by the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany's recent win in a German state election. Far-right parties are hoping for further gains in elections across Europe, including next year's French presidential race, where the National Rally is seen as a top contender.
