Overview
- Voting on Sept. 13 will decide control of the Riksdag in a knife‑edge race that polls show is split between a slim centre‑left lead and a strong right bloc.
- Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has pledged to form a common majority and include the Sweden Democrats in government if the right‑wing alliance wins, while SD is explicitly demanding cabinet seats.
- Magdalena Andersson leads a loosely aligned centre‑left that holds a narrow polling lead but would face complex coalition talks to form a stable government if it wins.
- Campaign debate has focused on immigration, gang crime, national security and welfare, with critics warning formal SD participation could erode civil liberties and supporters arguing it will deliver tougher policy on integration and crime.
- The contest builds on four years of policy change since 2022 when the sitting government tightened residency and welfare rules, cut asylum numbers to decades‑low levels, and the Sweden Democrats in 2025 sought to shed extremist links with a public apology.