Swedes vote in election that could usher far right into government
- On Sunday, September 13, 2026, roughly 8 million eligible voters began casting ballots for the 349-seat Riksdag in a razor-tight election where Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson challenges Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as the far-right Sweden Democrats seek government entry for the first time.
- Since 2022, the Sweden Democrats have propped up Kristersson's minority government while gaining influence over immigration and crime policy; party leader Jimmie Akesson secured an invitation to join a prospective four-party coalition earlier this year.
- Tactical voting boosted the Liberal Party from 1.9% in August to 5.8% in final polls, a reversal critical for Kristersson and Akesson to secure a parliamentary majority and avoid wasted votes.
- A right-wing victory would allow Akesson to claim cabinet posts for the first time, dismantling the political "firewall" that has historically kept the Sweden Democrats from formal government power.
- Electoral success for the Sweden Democrats would align with broader European trends, including a recent win by Germany's anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany in Saxony-Anhalt, potentially accelerating normalization of far-right parties across the continent.
284 Articles
284 Articles
Westfalenpost
Sweden's Social Democrats are ahead of the election. Magdalena Andersson still has an open way back to the top of the government.
Berliner Morgenpost
Sweden's Social Democrats are ahead of the election. Magdalena Andersson still has an open way back to the top of the government.
If the center-left bloc's lead is confirmed by the count, Magdalena Andersson will be in a strong position to return to the prime ministership - Outgoing Prime Minister Kristersson's Moderates at 18.1% - The far-right Sweden Democrats party falls to 17.2%
According to a forecast by the Swedish broadcaster SVT, the center-left opposition bloc in Sweden is heading for 51.3 percent of the vote in the country's parliamentary elections. The Swedish center-left parties support Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson as Prime Minister.
The left party camp is clearly in the lead after the parliamentary elections in Sweden. The right-wing populist Swedes are losing most.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 35% of the sources lean Left
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