Sweden Holds Elections That May Pave the Way for the Far-Right to Join the Government

Swedes are voting today, Sunday, in an election that could either bring a far-right party into government for the first time or return the country to the liberal path it has long been known for.

Several opinion polls conducted last week indicate that Sweden’s center-left opposition is narrowly ahead of the ruling right-wing bloc ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, suggesting a potential change in government.

However, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who had trailed in opinion polls throughout his four years in office, has begun to close the gap in the final weeks of the campaign, while his rival Magdalena Andersson and her Social Democratic Party have slipped.

Supporters of the right-wing bloc argue that its policies have helped curb gang violence and significantly reduce immigration, and that a victory would constitute public endorsement of this approach and similar measures in the coming years.

Kristersson, who pledged to include the far-right Sweden Democrats in government if his bloc wins, told journalists at parliament this week: “We can unite parties, voters, and issues within a common framework. That is why we get things done.”

Critics argue that this agenda undermines civil liberties, while forcing immigrants to more closely conform to Swedish cultural standards or leave the country, under a “carrot and stick” policy.

Polling stations open at 8:00 a.m. (06:00 GMT), with initial results expected immediately after closing at 6:00 p.m. GMT.

An electoral success for the Sweden Democrats would be welcomed by rising far-right parties across Europe, bolstered by the recent major victory of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party in a German state election this month.

The right has already agreed to form a four-party government led by Kristersson in the event of a win, while Andersson’s path to power appears more uncertain.