Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Sweden’s Left Holds Narrow Lead Ahead of Election
Sweden will hold a parliamentary election on Sunday.
Polls show the left-leaning parties slightly ahead of the governing right-wing parties.
The left was estimated to win 180 seats, compared with 169 for the right-wing bloc and the Sweden Democrats.
Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrats’ leader, was favored to become prime minister again.
Ulf Kristersson’s government has introduced tougher immigration policies.
The left-wing parties do not fully agree on how to govern together.
Two of them have said they will not join a government if the other is included.
Both sides support Ukraine and increasing military spending, but they disagree on other policies.
Sweden’s four left-leaning parties led the governing bloc 50.8% to 47.6% in an Indikator Opinion survey.
The poll projected 180 seats for the left and 169 for the right-wing bloc and Sweden Democrats.
Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson was favored to replace Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The left remains divided over a potential government, with the Centre Party and Left Party ruling out cooperation with each other.
The rival blocs both support Ukraine and military rearmament, but differ on immigration, taxes, nuclear power and public spending.
- Who
- Sweden’s four left-leaning parties, the governing right-wing parties, the Sweden Democrats, Magdalena Andersson and Ulf Kristersson.
- What
- A parliamentary election is approaching, with polls showing the centre-left opposition narrowly ahead.
- When
- The election is scheduled for Sunday; the cited survey was conducted September 2–10.
- Where
- Sweden.
- Why
- Voters are choosing whether to continue the current right-wing government’s policies or support a centre-left alternative.
Centre-left opposition
Right-wing governing bloc
Government leadership
Centre-left opposition
The left-leaning parties support a government led by Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson.
Right-wing governing bloc
The governing bloc supports continuing under Ulf Kristersson; he said the Sweden Democrats would join the government if the bloc wins.
Immigration and public spending
Centre-left opposition
The opposition has pledged higher public spending and would replace a government associated with tougher immigration policies.
Right-wing governing bloc
The government has introduced some of Europe’s toughest immigration policies and is seeking another term.
Coalition prospects
Centre-left opposition
The left parties are divided, with the Centre Party and Left Party each ruling out joining a government that includes the other.
Right-wing governing bloc
The Sweden Democrats have supported the coalition from outside the cabinet and could enter government if the right-wing bloc wins.
Policy differences
Centre-left opposition
Some left parties support proposals such as a billionaires’ tax, while the bloc includes disagreement over new nuclear reactors.
Right-wing governing bloc
The right-wing bloc differs from the opposition on taxation and nuclear power, although both sides support Ukraine and military rearmament.
- Election timing
- The parliamentary election is scheduled for Sunday.
- Left bloc support
- 50.8%, equivalent to an estimated 180 seats.
- Right bloc support
- 47.6%, equivalent to an estimated 169 seats.
- Survey sample
- 5,642 voters surveyed by Indikator Opinion.
- Largest party
- The Social Democrats had 28.6% support in the survey.
- Largest governing-bloc group
- The Sweden Democrats had 18.3% support.
- Potential prime minister
- Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson was favored to return as prime minister.