Reports indicate that ruling right-wing parties are making a major effort to ally with the far-right to block a victory by Magdalena Andersson’s left-wing Social Democratic Party in the parliamentary election being held today, Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Opinion polls currently show a very narrow margin between the right and the left. Out of Sweden’s population of 10 million, 8 million voters are eligible to vote. Most polls suggest that either the left-wing front will emerge victorious, or the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) party will join the existing government with cabinet positions.
Many political analysts point out that the opposition, led by Magdalena Andersson and comprising left-leaning and center parties, currently holds a slight lead in opinion polls and could return to power following Sunday’s election. However, outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is considering a new coalition with Jimmie Åkesson’s anti-Islam and anti-immigrant far-right Sweden Democrats to reverse the left-wing surge, promising them ministerial posts in a future government.
Media reports highlight that this could be an unpredictable election. As voting commenced at 8:00 AM this Sunday, Swedish media noted that the outcome will likely see either the return of the left to power or the entry of the far-right into the government.
Echoing Donald Trump’s famous phrase, current Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Friday that he hopes his right-wing coalition will remain in power to “Make Sweden Great Again.” The head of the conservative government has placed the “fight against the crime wave” at the heart of his mandate, focusing his campaign directly on security and the deportation of immigrants.
Following the previous election, a government was formed in 2022 after months of negotiations by aligning with the far-right SD party in parliament.
Meanwhile, Magdalena Andersson of the left-wing Social Democratic front campaigned on promises to restore the welfare state, improve healthcare and education, and boost the purchasing power of the public.
New opinion polls released on Friday, September 11, show the two blocs neck and neck. The latest polls give the four left-leaning and center parties around 50.8% of the vote, compared to about 47.8% for the four right-wing parties.
Similarly, an IPSOS poll published by the daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter shows the election ending with a left-wing coalition victory, projecting 49.3% for the left and 49% for the right.
