Sweden’s NATO missions are at risk if the left wins election, warns PM Kristersson
Sweden's election is currently a knife-edge race with two major blocs nearly tied. Initial exit polls from public broadcaster SVT showed left-wing parties leading by several percentage points, but the gap closed as two-thirds of the vote were counted. Prime Minister Kristersson has warned that NATO missions are at risk if the left wins. The outcome will determine if the populist right secures a role in government or if a center-left victory halts the country's recent rightward drift from its liberal traditions.
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- ✓ The Swedish election is an extremely close race.
- ✓ Hard-right parties are seeking a role in the government.
What changed
Exit poll leads for the left-wing opposition vanished as actual vote counting progressed toward a dead heat.
Live updates
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Swedish Election Results Remain Dead Even After Initial Left-Wing Lead
Sweden's election is currently a knife-edge race with two major blocs nearly tied. Initial exit polls from public broadcaster SVT showed left-wing parties leading by several percentage points, but the gap closed as two-thirds of the vote were counted. Prime Minister Kristersson has warned that NATO missions are at risk if the left wins. The outcome will determine if the populist right secures a role in government or if a center-left victory halts the country's recent rightward drift from its liberal traditions.
Why it matters
The election serves as a test for Europe's populist right and focuses on issues including welfare, Russia, and immigration. The far right has specifically targeted multicultural cities like Malmo. The result will decide if hard-right parties enter the heart of government.
What is confirmed
- The Swedish election is an extremely close race.
- Hard-right parties are seeking a role in the government.
Still unconfirmed
- Prime Minister Kristersson warns that NATO missions are at risk if the left wins the election.
- Initial SVT exit polls showed left-wing parties leading by several percentage points.
- The two voting blocs were nearly dead even after two-thirds of the actual vote was counted.
What to watch next
- Official final vote tally for the Swedish parliament
- Confirmation of whether the center-left or right-wing bloc secures a majority
- Announcement of coalition negotiations regarding far-right participation in government
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (12)
- Al Jazeera — Multicultural Malmo: Swedish city loathed by far right braces for election
- CBS News — Sweden's election could mark major milestone for Europe's populist right
- BBC — Sweden election becomes tight race, as hard right eyes role in government
- The Guardian — Sweden’s extremely close election could see far right enter government
- CNBC — Russia, Trump and a battle over welfare loom over Sweden’s election
- politico.eu — Sweden’s NATO missions are at risk if the left wins election, warns PM Kristersson
- Al Jazeera — Sweden heads to the polls: What’s at stake in the knife-edge election?
- CNN — Sweden’s election could bring far right a place at the heart of government
- Reuters — Swedes vote in election that could usher far right into government
- The New York Times — In the Home of Volvo and Spotify, an Election Shows Shifting Priorities
- www.pbs.org — Exit polls show left-wing opposition ahead in Swedish vote, projected to win majority
- www.nbcnews.com — Center-left bloc leads in Swedish vote, polls show
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