STOCKHOLM — Former center-left Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson is on course to retake power in Sweden as exit polling suggests a rightwing alliance that includes the far right is falling short. Andersson, the leader of the Social Democrats, spent much of the election campaign warning voters against handing ministerial posts to what she called an “extremist” party with “neo-Nazi” roots — the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats. If the survey proves accurate, it would mean rejection for incumbent PM Ulf Kristersson.
The conservative Moderate party leader had decided to work closely with the Sweden Democrats and promised to give them seats in cabinet for the first time if he won. According to Sweden’s SVT public broadcaster, Andersson’s left bloc is on track to take 51.3% of the vote.(Sweden’s electoral system is based on proportional representation.) Kristersson’s alliance on the right is projected to win 46.8%. Exit polls have not always been accurate in the past, but the picture should become clearer later on Sunday night when broadcasters are expected to announce updated forecasts after a critical mass of districts declare results.
Whoever ends up winning, party leaders will take weeks to finalize a new coalition agreement. And many people say to me that it’s enough now.” With the prospect of the far right entering government for the first time, the vote marks a watershed moment for Sweden that will be watched closely elsewhere in Europe, where other populist nationalist parties are gaining ground. Even Andersson accepts that a victory for her left bloc would not consign the Sweden Democrats to history, especially if the final result is a narrow one.
Well, we’ll see if the Swedish people are very tempted on that,” she said.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
