Sweden votes as far right aims for a role in government

Swedes are voting on Sunday to elect a new parliament, in a tight race that could significantly strengthen the far right and, for the first time, open its path to a direct role in government.

Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is seeking a second term in office, but his hold on power could depend on the Sweden Democrats, the far-right party that currently backs his minority government.

Facing Kristersson is former prime minister and Social Democrats leader Magdalena Andersson. Polls show a very tight race between the two rival political blocs.

The current government consists of Kristersson’s Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals, and is backed in parliament by the Sweden Democrats. The latter have gained ever more influence in the country’s politics in recent years.

Kristersson has left open the possibility of forming a governing coalition after the elections in which the Sweden Democrats would be formal members. Such a scenario would be a historic development for the Swedish far right, giving it direct access to government for the first time.

Around 8 million Swedes are eligible to vote in a country of about 10.6 million inhabitants. More than half of voters have voted in advance, in another sign of high electoral turnout in the country.

Polling stations will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 local time. The first exit polls are expected to be published immediately after voting closes, while the most reliable preliminary results are expected several hours later.