Polling stations opened Sunday in Sweden in what is expected to be a close general election. This election will either bring the far right into government for the first time or see the left-wing opposition reclaim power. Opinion polls have long credited the four parties in the left-wing bloc with a comfortable lead over conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's four-party alliance, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats. However, the gap narrowed to a dead heat in the final days of the campaign.
The leader of the opposition, Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats, has pledged to bolster the welfare state and help struggling households cope with rising costs if the four parties on the left win a majority on Sunday. Andersson's party governed the Scandinavian country for much of the 20th century. Outgoing conservative Prime Minister Kristersson has vowed to focus on improving Swedes' everyday lives, claiming his government's clampdown on organized crime and immigration has achieved its intended results.
Kristersson has governed with the support of the far-right Sweden Democrats for the past four years and has promised the anti-immigration party cabinet posts for the first time if the four parties on the right win the election. Voting stations will close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) when exit polls will be published, with the first reliable results expected several hours later.
FAQ
Q: Who are the main contenders in this election? A: The main contenders are the left-wing bloc led by Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats and the conservative alliance led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, which includes the far-right Sweden Democrats.
Q: What are the key issues in this election? A: The key issues include the welfare state, rising costs for households, organized crime, and immigration. The left-wing bloc emphasizes bolstering the welfare state and helping struggling households, while the conservative alliance focuses on improving everyday lives and clamping down on crime and immigration.
Q: What role does the far-right Sweden Democrats play in this election? A: The far-right Sweden Democrats are part of the conservative alliance led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. If the conservative alliance wins, Kristersson has promised to give the Sweden Democrats cabinet posts for the first time.
Q: When will the results of the election be known? A: Voting stations will close at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), and exit polls will be published immediately. The first reliable results are expected several hours later.
