Voters in Sweden are heading to the polls for a general election that could see the hard-right Sweden Democrats gain ministerial positions for the first time, alongside a conservative government seeking a second term. The election pits incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party against Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats, who previously served as prime minister.
The campaign has been characterized by a focus on government formation rather than specific policy issues like healthcare, according to experts. Sociologist Zeth Isaksson noted that the core question for voters is not which party will win, but which political side can assemble a parliamentary majority.
Kristersson's current center-right coalition, in power since 2022, relies on the outside support of the Sweden Democrats. This anti-immigration party, with roots in far-right extremism, has moved towards the political mainstream and has indicated it expects Cabinet posts if the right-wing bloc secures re-election.
The Sweden Democrats were founded in the 1980s by individuals with ties to right-wing extremist groups. Under the leadership of Jimmie Åkesson since 2005, the party has toned down its rhetoric and expelled openly racist members, contributing to its growth from a marginal entity to a significant political force. In the 2022 election, the party secured 20.5% of the vote, making it the largest party on the right.
Kristersson has stated that his Moderate Party would permit the Sweden Democrats to join the government if the right-wing bloc wins a majority, with Kristersson remaining prime minister regardless of which party within the bloc garners more votes. This development mirrors a broader trend of gains for populist right-wing parties across Europe, including a recent first-place finish by the Alternative for Germany party in a regional election.
Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag, has 349 seats. Individual parties must secure at least 4% of the vote to gain parliamentary representation. More than 8 million of Sweden's approximately 10.6 million citizens are eligible to vote. Preliminary results are expected to be released around 9 p.m. local time on Sunday.