From the Guardian · · 2m
Sweden's election ends in a near tie
Exit polls promised a left-leaning government, then the count narrowed it to one seat and weeks of coalition talks.
In brief
Exit polls promised a left-leaning government, then the count narrowed it to one seat and weeks of coalition talks. Sweden's election was too close to call, and the far-right Sweden Democrats came within a seat of their first real ministerial power. Originally reported by the Guardian.
A dead heat in Sweden
With most votes counted on Sunday night, Sweden's left and right blocs were level. An early exit poll pointed to a new left-leaning government, then later forecasts pulled it back to a coin flip.
One seat apart
SVT's Valu exit poll gave the left 51.3% and the right 46.8%. A later SVT prognosis put just 20,000 votes between them: 175 seats for the left bloc, 174 for the right.
A campaign that got ugly
The run-up was unusually polarised, with personal attacks between leaders, accusations of misinformation and Maga-inspired ads. One poll had the blocs 0.3 points apart.
Voters turned out anyway
Polling stations opened at 8am local time to long queues in places. A record 3.6 million people had already voted early.
“‘I hope for a decent period in politics’”
Who is in which bloc
The governing Tidö side is the Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals, propped up by the Sweden Democrats. The opposition is the Social Democrats with the Centre, Green and Left parties.
The taboo that broke in 2022
The right coalition partnered with SD, a party with neo-Nazi roots, ending a long freeze-out. SD has since softened its openly racist language while blaming immigration for Sweden's crime.
SD wants the ministries now
After four years supporting the government from outside, SD has been promised key ministerial posts if the right wins. Its slogan, "make Sweden Sweden again", borrowed from Trump.
“Do you miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant will help you get home”
Scandals trailing the party
Bus drivers refused to work with SD's repatriation ads, which were pulled. Jimmie Åkesson was accused of sexism for asking Andersson why she was so angry, and an SD figure took leave over his partner's reported Russian links.
What voters actually wanted
Healthcare, law and order, immigration and the economy topped the list, but the debate turned into a spending contest. Coalition talks could take months.
“The parties have tried to outdo each other with promises of more money. It has been a sort of auction.”
In short
Sweden's election was too close to call, and the far-right Sweden Democrats came within a seat of their first real ministerial power.
