Swedes vote in tight election that could bring far right into government

World swedenTop News Swedes vote in tight election that could bring far right into government Sweden Relevant News Marcus Edwards commits to Cyprus national team ahead of Nations League fixtures 13 September 2026 Swedes vote in tight election that could bring far right into government 13 September 2026 Russian drone strikes 800 metres from Polish border, Ukraine says 13 September 2026 newsroom 13 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Swedes were voting on Sunday in a closely fought election that could either bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time or return the country to a more liberal political course. The centre-left opposition held a narrow lead over the ruling right-wing bloc ahead of the September 13 parliamentary election, according to several opinion polls published this week. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has trailed in polls throughout his four years in office, narrowed the gap in the final weeks of campaigning as support for rival Magdalena Andersson and her Social Democrats slipped. Kristersson has pledged to bring the Sweden Democrats into government if his bloc wins. “We can unify parties, voters and issues into joint action. That’s why we get things done,” he told reporters this week. Critics say his government’s programme has weakened civil liberties while pushing immigrants to conform more closely to Swedish cultural norms or leave the country through a combination of incentives and penalties. “We’ve become a harder society, a quieter society, but also a poorer society as we’ve had growth far below our potential and where households see their pay cheques buy less and less,” Andersson told Reuters. She said Sweden had historically been strengthened by bringing people together. Supporters of the right-wing bloc argue that its policies have helped reduce gang violence and sharply cut immigration, and that a victory would amount to public backing for continuing the same approach. A strong result for the Sweden Democrats would also be welcomed by far-right parties elsewhere in Europe, particularly after Alternative for Germany’s significant victory in a German state election earlier this month. Voters weigh immigration and social change Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time in Sweden, an EU member state of around 10 million people that joined NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Exit polls were due shortly after voting ended at 6 p.m., with early results expected from around 7 p.m. In Rinkeby, an area designated by police as extremely socially deprived, some voters expressed concern that conditions could worsen. “They target Muslims; they single out Muslims and immigrants. But immigrants contribute to society,” Kahin Ahmed, a 57-year-old sociologist who came to Sweden from Somalia as a refugee, told Reuters. “A quarter of those working in healthcare are immigrants. If immigrants stayed home for a single day, Sweden wouldn’t function,” he said. Over the past four years, the ruling minority coalition, supported in parliament by the Sweden Democrats, has abolished permanent residency for refugees, tightened welfare rules and increased expulsions of people without the right to remain. Voting in Rinkeby on Saturday, Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson said the suburb, which has one of Sweden’s largest Swedish-Somali populations, “doesn’t look like Sweden”. The Sweden Democrats have pledged to ban the niqab and burqa if they enter government. Akesson told Reuters that such clothing “reflects values that I don’t think belong in Sweden”. Government formation could prove decisive The right-wing bloc has already agreed to form a four-party government led by Kristersson if it wins. Andersson’s path to power is less straightforward. The election could ultimately hinge on whether the Liberals clear the 4% threshold needed to enter parliament, strengthening a right-wing bloc that also includes the Moderates, Christian Democrats and, since Kristersson invited them earlier this year, the Sweden Democrats. The Sweden Democrats have spent the past four years supporting Kristersson’s minority government in parliament, strengthening their position within the broader right-wing camp. The rival blocs nevertheless agree on several major issues, including support for Ukraine, increased military spending and relief for households facing higher living costs. The opposition Social Democrats, Greens, Left Party and Centre Party broadly agree on higher welfare and public spending, but remain divided on several key issues. Immigration is one of them, with Andersson’s Social Democrats favouring a more restrictive approach than some of their potential partners. The parties also differ over proposals including a tax on billionaires and the construction of new nuclear reactors. The Centre Party has also said it will not support a government that includes the Left Party, adding another obstacle to Andersson’s efforts to form a cabinet. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Marcus Edwards commits to Cyprus national team ahead of Nations League fixtures Russian drone strikes 800 metres from Polish border, Ukraine says Ukraine says it struck Russian oil refinery in Tatarstan Cyprus-Greece air defence interoperability could create a shared eastern Mediterranean picture Man still fighting for life after Sotira explosion Israeli defence firms eye Cyprus as European expansion gathers pace Turkish Airlines flight diverted after severe turbulence near Tunis Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.