Swedish Election underway as far-right Sweden Democrats poised for possible ministerial roles
Swedish voters are casting ballots in a tightly contested election that could bring the Sweden Democrats into government for the first time, with the right-leaning coalition promising them key ministries if it wins.
Swedish polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday, with a record 3.6 million voters participating in early voting. Early results are expected from exit polls at 8 p.m., followed by a broadcast forecast and the first preliminary count around 10:30-11 p.m. The election pits the centre-right "Tidö" bloc – the Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals, supported by the Sweden Democrats (SD) – against a left-leaning alliance of the Social Democrats, Centre Party, Green Party and Left Party.
If the right-leaning coalition secures a majority, SD, Sweden’s second-largest party, is slated to receive prominent cabinet posts, marking its first direct role in government after four years as a supporting partner. Party leader Jimmie Åkesson has sought to soften the party’s image, focusing on immigration as a driver of crime, while the campaign slogan "make Sweden Sweden again" echoes similar slogans used abroad.
The campaign has featured heated exchanges, including accusations of sexism directed at Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson and scrutiny of SD figure Gustav Gellerbrant over alleged links to Russian state actors. Andersson described the campaign as "a tale of two sides" and emphasized the need for a new direction for Sweden. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderates, highlighted penalties for criminal offences and accused Andersson of failing to support female rape victims, to which Andersson responded that he was "weaponising men’s violence against women."
Voters identified healthcare, law and order, immigration and the economy as top issues, while political analysts noted that personal finance promises dominated the debate, characterising it as an "auction" of spending pledges.