Swedes will vote on Sunday in a closely contested election that could determine whether the far right Sweden Democrats enter government for the first time, marking a major shift in the country’s political landscape.
The Sweden Democrats are polling at about 19% and have become key parliamentary allies of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s centre right coalition. Kristersson has pledged to bring the party into government if his bloc wins, potentially giving it cabinet positions.
The party, which has roots in the neo Nazi movement, has moved from political isolation toward mainstream acceptance. It apologised in 2025 for its past links to neo Nazism and antisemitism.
Kristersson says cooperation with Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson since 2022 has helped reduce asylum applications, tackle gang crime and ease household costs. The government has also tightened immigration and welfare policies.
The opposition, led by Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson, is narrowly ahead in polls but faces difficulties forming a stable coalition because of disagreements among the Social Democrats, Greens, Left Party and Centre Party.
The election is therefore being viewed as a test of whether Sweden will continue its shift toward tougher immigration and integration policies, or take a different political direction.
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