Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has echoed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s famous campaign phrase by expressing his ambition to “make Sweden great again” if re-elected in the parliamentary elections held Sunday.
Kristersson currently heads a three-party center-right coalition government dependent on external support from the far-right Sweden Democrats. Should this political bloc win, it is anticipated that the Sweden Democrats will enter the government for the first time in the country’s history.
Neck-and-Neck Race Between Political Blocs
Polls ahead of Sunday’s vote show a narrow lead for the center-left opposition alliance, which includes former prime minister Magdalena Andersson, holding approximately 50.8% of the vote share. In comparison, the center-right and far-right coalition commands around 47.6%.
The close race signals a likely delay in determining who will form Sweden’s next government, as prolonged and complex negotiations are expected to follow the election results.
Implications of Sweden Democrats Joining Government
The potential inclusion of the Sweden Democrats in government marks a historic shift in Sweden’s political landscape. The party’s participation, facilitated by Kristersson’s coalition, could reshape policymaking and government dynamics in the Nordic country.
