Sweden’s Far-Right on Brink of Historic First Entry into Government

Sweden is heading to the polls on Sunday for a general election that could either return the center-left opposition to power after four years or usher the far right into government for the first time in the country’s modern political history.

While early opinion polls suggested a comfortable victory for the left-wing alliance, the margin has tightened considerably as Election Day approaches. The contest is primarily between the center-left bloc led by former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and the right-wing coalition currently anchored by incumbent PM Ulf Kristersson.

Andersson, the Social Democratic leader, acknowledged the competitiveness of the race during a rally in Stockholm on Saturday. “We all knew it was going to be a very close election; I’ve said that all along,” she stated. She framed the choice for voters as a decision between a government led by her or one “totally dominated by the Sweden Democrats,” the populist party that is a key partner in Kristersson’s coalition.

The left-wing bloc’s platform emphasizes bolstering the welfare state and mitigating rising living costs. In contrast, Kristersson’s campaign has highlighted his government’s efforts to reduce violent and organized crime while implementing stricter immigration controls.

A significant distinction sets this election apart from neighboring Germany, where other parties maintain a political firewall against the far-right Alternative for Germany. Kristersson has made no such promises; instead, he has pledged key ministerial positions to the Sweden Democrats contingent on a right-wing victory.

Jimmie Akesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrats, projected confidence at a campaign event in Stockholm, telling supporters, “We have already won.” He added, “Sweden is becoming safer, better, and more Swedish.” Akesson is expected to assume the role of migration minister if his party’s bloc secures a win.

Critics of the right-wing agenda have raised concerns that such policies undermine civil liberties and disproportionately target immigrants. Some founders of Akesson’s party have historically been linked to Sweden’s neo-Nazi movement, a fact that continues to draw scrutiny.

With 8 million eligible voters out of a population of 10.6 million, Swedish elections typically see turnout exceeding 80%. Voting opens at 08:00 local time (07:00 UTC) and closes 12 hours later, though approximately half of the ballots have already been cast through advance voting. Initial results are anticipated later on Sunday evening.