Sweden's 2026 elections: a head-to-head battle between the right and center-left: Kristersson risks being overtaken by Andersson.

Sweden returns to the polls for the 2026 parliamentary elections , an event considered crucial to the country's political future. Approximately 7 million voters are called to choose the 349 members of the Riksdag , Sweden's unicameral parliament, whose composition will determine the formation of the next government.

Polls opened at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. , when the counting of votes will begin. The first results are expected on election night, with exit polls released immediately after the polls closed and initial projections based on the ballot count in the following hours.

Swedish parliamentary elections take place every four years and are traditionally held on the second Sunday in September . The vote on September 13th therefore represents a crucial step in determining who will lead the country in the next term.

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The challenge between Ulf Kristersson and Magdalena Andersson

The political competition is primarily focused on the confrontation between two opposing blocs. On one side is the center-right coalition led by outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson , leader of the Moderates, who is seeking re-election after four years at the helm of the government.

On the other side is the center-left alliance led by Magdalena Andersson , leader of the Social Democrats and former prime minister between 2021 and 2022, which aims to bring the left back into government.

The game looks particularly tight. Both sides are made up of four parties, and the final outcome could hinge on just a few seats in the Riksdag, making post-election alliances crucial.

The right-wing government and the role of the Sweden Democrats

Since 2022, Sweden has been governed by a conservative coalition of the Moderates, Liberals and Christian Democrats, with the external support of the Sweden Democrats (SD) , a nationalist party led by Jimmie Åkesson.

Despite not having representatives in the outgoing government, the party played a central role in the majority's decisions, especially on issues of immigration, security, and organized crime.

Kristersson defended the partnership with the nationalist party, emphasizing how the agreement has worked over the past four years. "There's nothing dramatic about this. It's clear to everyone that we've been working together successfully for four years," the outgoing prime minister stated.

If the center-right wins, the Sweden Democrats could enter the government directly for the first time with their own ministers, marking a historic step in Swedish politics.

The Rise of the Sweden Democrats and the Issue of Immigration

The Sweden Democrats' influence has grown rapidly over the past decade. Having first entered parliament in 2010 with 5% of the vote , the party came in second in the 2022 elections, receiving 20,5% of the vote.

According to political analysts, the success of the party is mainly linked to its rigid stance on immigration and the reception of asylum seekers, a topic that has assumed a central role in Swedish public debate in recent years.

“Since they entered parliament, they have grown with every election,” explained Patrik Öhberg, associate professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg, highlighting how the party has managed to reach a growing segment of the electorate.

The growth of the SD also fits into a European context characterized by increasing consensus for right-wing nationalist groups.

The center-left is aiming to return to government

The progressive front is led by Magdalena Andersson's Social Democrats, historically the dominant party in Swedish politics.

The coalition also includes the Green Party and the Centre Party, but to achieve a parliamentary majority it would need the support of the Left. The Left, however, has repeatedly stated that it prefers direct entry into the government rather than simply seeking external support.

Andersson focused his election campaign primarily on the issues of welfare, family support, and the cost of living, criticizing the right's management and promising new measures to strengthen the Swedish social model.

Polls indicate a race on the edge of votes

The latest polls paint a picture of extreme uncertainty. According to several polls reported by Reuters, the center-left coalition has a slight lead, with percentages ranging between 49,3% and 50,8% , while the center-right bloc is estimated to have between 47,6% and 49%.

Translated into seats, the margin could be minimal: the centre-left could obtain between 175 and 180 parliamentarians , while the outgoing majority would stop between 169 and 174 seats.

The opposition's lead, however, gradually diminished during the election campaign. At the end of August, the center-left seemed to have a much larger lead, but the right's recovery turned the vote into an open contest.

The Ipsos poll and the final head-to-head

The latest Ipsos survey published by the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter showed an almost perfect balance between the two sides.

According to the poll, the opposition made up of the Social Democrats, Centre, Greens and Left would have 49,3% of the vote , while the governing coalition made up of the Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Liberals and Christian Democrats would reach 49%.

A difference of just 0,3 percentage points , which could translate into just one seat advantage for Magdalena Andersson: 175 MPs against 174.

"It's currently an open question whether there will be a change of government. We're in a situation where it will be very balanced," explained Nicklas Kallebring, pollster for Ipsos.

Greta Thunberg urges Swedes to vote

Among the most talked about speeches of the election day was that of climate activist Greta Thunberg , who announced that she had voted and called on citizens to participate in the elections.

On social media, Thunberg wrote that she wanted to “send Tidö’s government home,” referring to the political agreement that supports the current center-right majority.

Early voting began on August 26th, and millions of citizens chose this option. According to available data, over 3 million voters had already cast their ballots before the official election day.

ABBA's Benny Andersson's vote for Magdalena

The Swedish election campaign also had a symbolic moment linked to music. Benny Andersson , historic composer of ABBA , publicly supported Magdalena Andersson by reinterpreting the famous song "Mamma Mia".

The musician performed a modified version of the song at the Social Democratic Party headquarters in Stockholm, transforming it into a tribute to the opposition leader.

The performance was greeted with applause from Social Democratic supporters, who accompanied the refrain, transforming it into a chant dedicated to Magdalena Andersson.

Possible scenarios after the vote

The outcome of the polls will determine not only the new government, but also the future role of the Sweden Democrats in national politics.

If the center-right wins, Åkesson's party could join the government team for the first time with ministerial positions. This would be a result destined to have a strong political impact, including at the European level.

In the event of a center-left victory, however, Magdalena Andersson would have to build a complex majority, mediating between the various forces in her coalition and the role of the Left.

The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament will begin consultations with the leader of the winning coalition to identify the new Prime Minister.

A decisive choice for the future of Sweden

The 2026 elections represent one of the most crucial elections in recent years in Sweden. The challenge is not just about whether to change or confirm the government, but also about the country's political direction on crucial issues such as immigration, security, welfare, and relations with Europe.

On the one hand, there's the possibility of Ulf Kristersson's conservative stance being confirmed, supported by the advance of the Sweden Democrats. On the other, there's Magdalena Andersson's attempt to bring the center-left back to power after four years in opposition.

The voters' verdict will determine which political model will guide Sweden for the next four years.