Opposition edges ahead in Swedish election

Sweden’s center-left bloc has increased its lead to three seats over right-wing ruling parties, with 95% of the ballots counted in Sunday’s general election.

The left-leaning opposition, led by the Social Democrats of former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, is ahead 176 to 173 over the center-right coalition, headed by the Moderates of current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and their far-right partners, the Sweden Democrats, according to preliminary results published by the Swedish Election Authority on Monday.

Holding on to 175 out of 349 spots in the national parliament, the Riksdag, is enough for a majority and the ability to form a government.

This year’s election is the first in Sweden since it abandoned its longstanding policy of neutrality and joined NATO in 2024, citing security concerns due to the Ukraine conflict.

Before the 2022 vote, narrowly won by Kristersson and his allies, Andersson’s Social Democrats were seen as the main obstacle for the country becoming a member of the US-led military bloc.

After coming to power, the right-wing coalition fulfilled its campaign promise to clamp down on immigration, turning the formerly welcoming Sweden into a country with one of the toughest asylum regulations in Europe.

Kristersson has been a staunch support of Ukraine, with Stockholm providing Kiev with almost $16 billion in military and other forms of assistance during his tenure.

Migrants are playing a crucial role in the 2026 election, with some 17% or 1.34 million eligible Swedish voters being born outside the country.

“If this result remains valid, Sweden will get a new government,” Andersson told her supporters late on Sunday.

Kristersson said he is “going to take it pretty easy” until the final results of the election are announced. The prime minister also didn’t rule out the possibility of trying to lure some of Andersson’s current allies, particularly the Center party, which has 25 seats, to his side to form an alternative coalition. If all of the parties stick to their red lines, “Sweden will not have a government,” he warned.

Following the statement, Social Democrats spokesman Morgan Johansson accused Kristersson of “unsightly” conduct and attempting to “cling on” to power.

If the right-wing coalition “no longer has a majority, he will probably have to face the consequences of that,” he insisted.

The final results of the vote are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, with some 200,000 votes, including those from overseas, yet to be counted. The Swedish parliament is set to gather in late September to elect a new speaker and then the prime minister.