Sweden’s centre-left opposition is on course to take control of parliament after an exceptionally tight election count.
With almost all votes counted, the bloc led by Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson was projected to win 175 of the 349 seats in the Riksdag, one more than Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing alliance. Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT said the remaining ballots were unlikely to overturn the result, although final counting was still continuing.
The narrow margin means coalition talks are likely to be difficult. The election campaign focused heavily on crime, welfare, migration and the role of the Sweden Democrats, whose influence over the outgoing government had already reshaped Swedish politics.
A one-seat parliamentary advantage would leave any incoming government with little room for internal disagreement. Even if the final numbers hold, forming a durable governing arrangement may prove harder than winning the vote itself.
Reporting based on Sweden’s election authority, SVT and Reuters coverage. Featured image: Adam Gavlák via Unsplash.
