Sweden Votes: Far Right Could Enter Government as Early Voting Jumps 25% and Race Ends in Dead Heat

Sweden Votes: Far Right Could Enter Government as Early Voting Jumps 25% and Race Ends in Dead Heat

Sweden's election is going down to the wire, with the far right possibly entering government for the first time as early voting surges 25 percent and the two main blocs sit tied with two days to go.

· 1 min read ·
europe

Sweden's party leaders campaigned on Friday in the final days of a close election race, with the result set to either return the centre left to power or bring the far right into government for the first time [238936]. Outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking a renewed mandate, telling Agence France-Presse at a campaign rally that he wanted to "make Sweden great again," borrowing US President Donald Trump's catchphrase [238936]. Much of Europe is now led by right-wing governments, and opinion polls in Sweden suggest the race remains tight [238936].

With only one week left before the vote, the two main candidates for prime minister were already showing signs of unstable support during the Swedish Radio political debate, which reminded voters that tough political negotiations will follow the election no matter who wins [236215]. Neither Kristersson nor Magdalena Andersson could offer any firm promises about what happens after the vote [236215].

A new poll by DN/Ipsos then showed Sweden's two main political blocs tied with just two days left before the election, leaving the race wide open as the final stretch of campaigning began [238729].

Meanwhile, with four days left until the election, early voting had risen by 25 percent compared to the previous election period, and if the trend continues it could set a record [238797]. The increase may benefit certain parties. "Less interested voters get started last during the election campaign," says political scientist Jakob Ahlbom [238797].

Sources

Sweden election: far right could enter government for first time #238936Sweden’s Next PM? Both Leaders Are Weakening. #236215Sweden election dead heat with two days to go #238729Record Early Voting Surge: 25% Increase Before Election #238797

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