Sweden's left bloc wins power after divisive election

Sweden's Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson has reclaimed the position of prime minister following a tight general election, which was primarily centered around migration issues. The left-wing opposition parties secured 176 seats in parliament, while the ruling right-wing bloc managed to retain 173 seats, according to the country's election authority.

The counting of ballots has concluded. Andersson is returning to the role of prime minister after a four-year absence in opposition. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who hails from the right-wing Moderates Party, has yet to comment on the final outcome. He had governed alongside the Sweden Democrats, a hard-right party. The electorate had rallied behind the victorious left-wing coalition, which criticized the previous government's immigration policies.

These policies included incentives and penalties that pressured migrants to conform to Swedish cultural norms or leave the country. During the campaign, Kristersson extended an invitation to the far-right party to occupy ministerial seats if he emerged victorious. Throughout his four-year tenure, the outgoing government had trailed in opinion polls but had managed to narrow the gap in the final weeks of campaigning, while Andersson and her Social Democrats had lost ground.

The winning coalition is divided on several issues, including migration, a proposal for a tax on billionaires, and the construction of new nuclear reactors. Additionally, her budget plans may encounter challenges in gaining support, as the Left Party and the Centre Party, both former political entities, have differing economic perspectives.