Sweden’s election too close to call as far right loses ground

Sweden's general election remained too close to call early Monday as incumbent Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing alliance and the left-wing opposition both indicated readiness to govern. The far-right Sweden Democrats lost ground for the first time in a parliament entry established in 2010, securing 17.6% of the vote down from 20.5% in 2022.

With nearly 90% of votes tallied, four opposition parties led by Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson held a one-seat majority in the 349-seat parliament over Kristersson's right-wing alliance. Andersson, Sweden's first female prime minister in 2021-2022, told supporters "we are in the lead" but her party's performance looked poor with 28% of the vote.

Kristersson, whose Moderate Party garnered 19.9% of counted votes, said he would explore possible government combinations with the opposition parties, noting irreconcilable differences mainly between the Left Party and the Centre Party.

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, long seen as a political pariah, saw a surge in support from people previously reluctant to openly express their allegiance. Party leader Jimmie Akesson acknowledged the party's shift towards mainstream politics, saying "there are now so many more people around our country who no longer find it difficult to say that they are Sweden Democrats."

Municipal election authorities will start counting additional votes on Wednesday, and a regional recount typically takes a week to finalize. Kristersson, who had previously headed a minority coalition with the Sweden Democrats, promised to examine potential government combinations if his result held. Andersson, on the other hand, pledged to increase taxes on banks and high incomes, reduce healthcare wait times, and improve school results. The final outcome of Sweden's election remained uncertain as voting continued across the country.