Swedes vote in election that could usher far right into government

Swedes vote in an election on Sunday that could bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time. The center-left opposition holds a narrow lead over the ruling right-wing bloc, but Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has been closing the gap. The election outcome may hinge on whether the Liberals surpass the 4% threshold.

Swedes vote on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time, marking a potential shift in the country's political landscape. The center-left opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson and her Social Democrats, holds a narrow lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's ruling right-wing bloc, according to recent opinion polls. However, Kristersson, who has trailed throughout his four years in office, has been gaining ground in the final weeks of campaigning. Kristersson has pledged to bring the Sweden Democrats into government if his bloc wins, a move that would align Sweden with a broader European trend of rising far-right parties. The right-wing bloc has already agreed to form a four-party government led by Kristersson. The election could ultimately hinge on whether the Liberals surpass the 4% threshold to win seats in parliament. Supporters of the right-wing bloc argue its policies have curbed gang violence and cut immigration. Critics counter that the agenda undermines civil liberties and forces immigrants to conform to Swedish cultural norms. The rival blocs have converged on support for Ukraine, military rearmament, and cost-of-living relief, but remain divided on immigration, a billionaire tax, and nuclear power.