Opposition edges ahead in Swedish election

The center-left bloc led by Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats looks set to form the next government, according to preliminary results 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. NATO seeking to push Russia out of Arctic – scholar 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…