Right-wing coalition loses shock election

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned Thursday after his expected easy win turned into a narrow defeat. The center-left won by just 50,000 votes in a stunning reversal.

Kristersson's far-right alliance backfired

Analysts expected the right-wing bloc to win easily since it was unified while the left was fragmented. But Kristersson's decision to ally with the far-right Sweden Democrats, which has neo-Nazi and white supremacist roots, turned voters away.

The numbers tell the story

Kristersson's bloc secured 173 seats in the 349-seat parliament, three short of the four left-wing parties combined. A mere 50,000 votes separated the two sides.

Andersson claims victory for welfare state

Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson said voters chose "a new direction for our country, voted for unity and against division." She previously served as Sweden's first female prime minister for less than a year in 2021.

“The Swedish people have voted for a new direction for our country, voted for unity and against division.”

Andersson's priorities include healthcare

The incoming leader plans to focus on healthcare reform, immigration, education policy, and climate change. She has invited Sweden's three other left-leaning parties to begin coalition talks.

Coalition talks could take weeks

Sweden's four left-leaning parties hold conflicting views on taxes, nuclear energy, and billionaire wealth. The Centre wants tax cuts while others want increases, and the Centre refuses to work with the Left party.

Swedish coalition talks historically drag on

In 2022, Swedish legislators took 37 days to form a government. In 2018, they took 134 days. Expect similar delays as the left-wing parties negotiate.

Progressive leaders celebrate far-right setback

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the result "a significant blow to the far right, whose influence over Europe has only grown in recent years." He praised Swedes for backing the welfare state and green agenda.

“After four years of a right-wing government with the far right, the Swedes are once again backing the welfare state, social justice and the green agenda.”

U.N. finds reasonable grounds for U.S. war crimes

A United Nations fact-finding mission determined Thursday that the U.S. military likely committed war crimes in February when it struck an Iranian elementary school and sports facility, killing at least 177 people.

U.S. struck school despite knowing the risk

The U.N. report found that the U.S. failed to update targeting databases and confirm the Minab school was not a military facility. It accused the U.S. of acting "recklessly" and being "aware of a substantial risk" of striking civilians.

“Rather, the U.S. directed the strikes at the building of the school while being aware of a substantial risk of striking a civilian object and acting recklessly as regards the possibility that this would happen.”

Iran also committed crimes against humanity

The U.N. report found that Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in December 2025. More than 7,000 people were killed and tens of thousands arbitrarily detained.

White House denies war crimes allegations

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected the findings, claiming "the only party in this conflict that has committed war crimes is the Iranian regime." She criticized the U.N. Human Rights Council as "unserious."

“The only party in this conflict that has committed war crimes is the Iranian regime.”

Canada explores EU associate membership

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the idea of becoming the European Union's first associate member, which would include deeper integration in trade, energy, defense, and artificial intelligence without full membership.

“Europe and Canada are each strong. Europe and Canada are even stronger together.”

Trump warns EU against Canada deal

President Trump warned the European Union that granting Canada associate member status could be viewed as a "hostile act" and could prompt tariffs or trade restrictions. He called Canada a "terrible trade partner."

Italy seeks new energy suppliers

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store to discuss critical minerals, defense, and energy. Norway produces 40 percent of the EU's natural gas and holds vast oil reserves.