Sweden votes in tight election dominated by immigration
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Sweden opened polling stations on Sunday for a closely fought parliamentary election that may either restore the centre-left after four years in opposition or keep Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's right-wing bloc in power with possible cabinet roles for the far-right Sweden Democrats. The campaign has centred heavily on immigration and law and order, while healthcare, education, integration and the economy have also been major issues as opinion polls showed a narrowing race before voting began.
Key Points
- Polling stations across Sweden opened at 8am on Sunday and are due to close at 8pm, with exit polls expected soon after voting ends.
- Several opinion polls this week showed the centre-left opposition holding a narrow lead over Kristersson's ruling right-wing bloc before the September 13 election
- Xinhua said opinion polls generally put the centre-left ahead, but the gap narrowed sharply in the final days of campaigning
- Kristersson has said he would bring the Sweden Democrats into government if his bloc wins, after the party supported his administration from outside cabinet since 2022.
- More than 8 million people are eligible to vote in the EU member state of 10 million people, which joined Nato after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the result will be watched as a test of how far immigration and integration politics can reshape a European government while remaining tied to mainstream coalition-building. It also matters because Sweden is both an EU member and a newer Nato member, so the election may influence how Europe balances domestic security, civil liberties and migration policy.