Voting under way in Sweden election that could see far right enter gov’t

What the report says

Voters in Sweden are casting ballots in a tightly contested general election that could decide whether the far-right Sweden Democrats enter government for the first time or whether the centre-left opposition returns to power. According to Al Jazeera, polling stations opened on Sunday morning, with early voting by leading figures including Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson and outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The election pits Andersson’s left-wing bloc, which includes four parties, against Kristersson’s centre-right alliance of four parties. Recent polls had suggested a lead for the left, but the race tightened late in the campaign. Andersson has framed the vote as a choice between a government led by her or one shaped by the Sweden Democrats, while her party is campaigning on strengthening welfare and easing pressure from rising living costs.

Kristersson is seeking a second term after leading Sweden since 2022. His government has depended on backing from the Sweden Democrats, a hard-right, anti-immigration party with roots in the neo-Nazi movement. Al Jazeera reports that if the right-wing bloc wins, the Sweden Democrats could receive Cabinet posts, reflecting how far the party has moved into mainstream politics.

Polling closes later on Sunday, with exit polls expected soon after and final results to follow. About eight million people are eligible to vote in a country known for high turnout, making the outcome important not only for domestic issues such as crime, immigration and household finances, but also for the broader direction of Swedish politics.