Left edges ahead in Swedish election thriller
With most results in, the opposition left bloc leads by just three seats over an alliance that includes the far-right Sweden Democrats.
Sweden's closely contested election concluded with 95% of results declared, placing the left-wing bloc led by opposition leader Magdalena Andersson just three seats ahead of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing coalition. The outcome may not be finalized until Wednesday. Andersson's bloc currently holds 176 seats, while Kristersson's side has 173 seats.
Kristersson plans to attempt to lure the small Center party out of Andersson's bloc, with a potential vote on his remaining as prime minister expected within weeks. Sweden Democrats, a far-right party, could enter government for the first time under a Kristersson-led government. The election outcome holds significance for Europe, where nationalist movements are gaining momentum.
Andersson, endorsed by ABBA's Benny Andersson, has been leading in the polls for months but the race tightened in the final weeks. She remains confident despite the tightening race, emphasizing that the Sweden Democrats' hate speech would be unacceptable to Swedish voters. Kristersson, governing with Sweden Democrats' support, plans to form a government with limited influence for the far-right party. The coalition will hinge on minor party agreements, potentially complicating the process.
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