Sweden votes in parliamentary election: far right may enter government
Sweden is holding parliamentary elections on September 13, the outcome of which could for the first time bring the far-right Sweden Democrats party into the government. According to the Kathmandu Post, the centre-left opposition held a narrow lead over the ruling right-wing bloc in polls ahead of the vote.
Competition between the blocs
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had trailed in opinion polls throughout his four years in power, but narrowed the gap at the end of the campaign. At the same time, his rival Magdalena Andersson and her Social Democratic Party were losing support.
Supporters of the right-wing bloc believe that its policies have helped curb gang violence and significantly reduce immigration. Kristersson said that if he wins, he is ready to include the Sweden Democrats in the government. The right-wing parties have also agreed to form a four-party government led by Kristersson in the event of victory.
Andersson criticized her opponents' course, saying that the country had become a harsher and quieter society and that households' purchasing power was declining. She also stressed the importance of public solidarity in difficult times.
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The role of small parties
Decisive for the outcome may be whether the Liberals clear the four-percent threshold for entering parliament. Their success would strengthen the right-wing bloc, which includes the Moderate Coalition Party, the Christian Democrats and the Sweden Democrats led by Jimmie Åkesson. For the past four years, the Sweden Democrats have supported Kristersson's minority government in parliament.
The centre-left camp, which includes the Social Democrats, the Greens, the Left Party and the Centre Party, generally supports higher social spending. At the same time, these forces have differences over immigration, a tax on billionaires and the construction of new nuclear reactors. The Centre Party also refuses to support a government involving the Left Party, making it more difficult for Andersson to form a cabinet.
Both blocs support Ukraine, rearming the military and assistance to households affected by the rising cost of living. Polling stations are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, and exit polls are expected after they close.
