Sweden Opens Vote as Far-Right SD Eyes 1st Government Role in 0.3-Point Race
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 13
Sweden Opens Vote as Far-Right SD Eyes 1st Government Role in 0.3-Point Race
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 13
Summary
3.6 million Swedes cast ballots early before polls opened nationwide at 8 a.m., kicking off an election that could bring the Sweden Democrats into government for the first time.
A 0.3-percentage-point gap in one poll underscores how tight the contest is between the ruling right-leaning Tidö bloc and Magdalena Andersson’s left-leaning opposition.
The campaign turned unusually bitter, with SD’s Trump-style messaging, withdrawn anti-immigration bus ads, sexism accusations against leader Jimmie Åkesson and scrutiny over a party figure’s Russian-linked partner.
Exit polls are due at 8 p.m., SVT’s forecast at 9 p.m. and preliminary counts from 10:30-11 p.m., but coalition talks are expected to take weeks or months whatever the result.