Critical Election Begins in Sweden: Far-Right on Course for Government
In neck-and-neck elections between Sweden's left and right blocs, the far-right Sweden Democrats are preparing to take part in a coalition government for the first time.
Voters across Sweden have gone to the polls for a critical general election in which the far-right Sweden Democrats party could take part in government for the first time. The race between the left and right blocs is expected to be exceptionally tight.
Polls Open and Turnout
Polling stations across the country opened their doors at 08:00 local time, with millions of voters rushing to cast their ballots.
A record total of 3.6 million voters participated in early voting during the election process.
Election Results Schedule
The first exit polls will be published at 20:00 in the evening, followed by projections from broadcasting organizations.
While the first official and preliminary vote count results are expected to become clear during the night, potential coalition talks are projected to take weeks.
Political Struggle Between Blocs
The right-leaning coalition bloc, known as the Tidö parties, consists of the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Liberals.
The left bloc includes the Social Democrats, the country's largest party, as well as the Centre, Green, and Left parties.
The Far-Right's Government Goal
The Sweden Democrats, which have neo-Nazi roots, aim to secure key ministries in government for the first time if the right-wing coalition wins.
The voters' core agenda items consist of healthcare, law and order, immigration policies, and the economy.