Andrea Innocenti Sweden is immersed in a tense electoral climate as citizens head to the polls for the parliamentary elections. Polls opened at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and will close at 20:00 p.m., with the first exit polls expected shortly thereafter. This vote could mark a turning point in the country's political history, with the possibility of a far-right government for the first time or a return of the left to power.
The election campaign was intense and saw a reversal of initial positions. While polls initially gave the center-left coalition led by Magdalena Andersson a lead of over ten percentage points, in recent months the gap has narrowed dramatically. Today, the gap between the two blocs is just 0,3 percentage points , with a possible outcome of 175 seats for the center-left and 174 seats for the right.
The challenge between the center-left and the radical right
The center-left coalition, led by the Social Democrats , also includes the Green Left and Center Party. Magdalena Andersson has repeatedly warned that Sweden would never be the same again with ministers from the Sweden Democrats (SD), the far-right party that has gained increasing support in recent years.
Founded in 1988, the Sweden Democrats underwent a transformation under the leadership of Jimmie Åkesson while maintaining radical positions similar to those of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany.
The left's election campaign focused on the threat posed by the Sweden Democrats, but polls suggest this message hasn't had the desired impact. The Social Democrats have also adopted tougher stances on immigration, departing from their historic acceptance. If they win, they have stated they would uphold the outgoing government's approach.
The policies of the outgoing government
The center-right government, led by Ulf Kristersson of the Swedish Moderates, has focused on positive economic results and some radical anti-crime policies. These include lowering the prison age to 14 years for the most serious crimes and deporting even minors. These measures have sparked controversy, but the government has argued they are necessary to tackle organized crime.
The role of minor parties
The final outcome of the election could be influenced by the performance of smaller parties. In the center-left coalition, the Greens, Left , and Center could play a crucial role. In the right-wing coalition, the Christian Democrats and Liberals are close to the 4 percent threshold . Failure to pass it would pose a threat to the entire right-wing coalition.
Last week, revelations from an investigation by the anti-racism magazine Expo into Polina Malaberg , a Sweden Democrat official, added further tension. According to the investigation, Malaberg had close ties to Russia for over a decade, participating in trips and promoting Russian interests in Sweden.
As Swedish citizens await the results, the country braces for an uncertain future. Whatever the outcome, these elections could redefine Sweden's political landscape for years to come.