Sweden election: Far right eyes power for 1st time
The populist Sweden Democrats could enter government for the first time if incumbent Ulf Kristersson's bloc wins. The left-wing opposition led by former PM Andersson has seen its lead narrow as election day has neared.
Sweden will hold a crucial general election on Sunday, 12 September 2026, with the outcome potentially shifting the balance of power to either a left-wing coalition or the inclusion of far-right ministers for the first time. The Social Democrats, led by Magdalena Andersson, and the Moderate Party, led by Ulf Kristersson, are the two main contenders.
Kristersson's coalition government has been in power since 2022 with the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats, who have been a contentious element in the government. The Sweden Democrats, founded in the 1980s, have undergone some changes in recent years but still have strong neo-Nazi ties. If Kristersson wins, he may include SD members in his cabinet, which could be a significant shift.
Both candidates have focused on security, especially in regards to Russia, while also addressing domestic issues such as taxes, housing, healthcare, and immigration.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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