Sweden's election neck-and-neck as centre-left edges ahead in exit polls
With 90% of votes counted, the Social Democrats lead by a single seat, leaving the final outcome uncertain.
Swedish voters are still waiting for a definitive answer as exit polls on Monday night show the centre‑left bloc holding a razor‑thin advantage over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right‑wing coalition. The Social Democratic Party, led by former premier Magdalena Andersson, appears to have a one‑seat lead in the 349‑seat Riksdag, while the Sweden Democrats have slipped below their 2022 level.
For now, we are in the lead. And if that is confirmed, Sweden will have a new government.
Andersson, who served as Sweden’s first female prime minister in 2021‑2022, told supporters that a confirmed lead would pave the way for a new administration. Her party secured roughly 28% of the vote, a share that, while still the largest, is the weakest in over a century.
Kristersson’s Moderate Party recorded about 19.9% of the counted votes. He signalled willingness to explore any viable non‑socialist configuration but warned that deep disagreements, especially between the Left Party and the Centre Party, could stall a programme agreement.
Far‑right loses ground
For the first time since entering parliament in 2010, the anti‑immigration Sweden Democrats fell to 17.6%, down from 20.5% in the 2022 election. Party leader Jimmie Akesson acknowledged the dip, noting the party had lost a few percentage points compared with four years ago.
What comes next
Swedish officials will continue counting the remaining ballots through Wednesday, followed by an automatic regional recount that typically takes a week. Until the final tally is certified, both blocs remain on standby, and the composition of any future coalition remains uncertain.
If the centre‑left coalition secures a majority, it is likely to pursue its platform of higher taxes on banks and high incomes, measures to reduce healthcare waiting lists and reforms aimed at improving school performance. Conversely, a continuation of Kristersson’s minority government, supported by the Sweden Democrats, would keep the current right‑leaning policy trajectory in place.
